tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48563737985683344492024-03-13T08:25:33.456-07:00My Knotty ThoughtsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-34908509606319770002010-02-13T23:37:00.000-08:002010-02-13T23:41:17.655-08:00Tutorial 11--Making a Fabric Envelope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehBHQlx5I/AAAAAAAAAX8/8e-0xjM--gE/s1600-h/P4280058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehBHQlx5I/AAAAAAAAAX8/8e-0xjM--gE/s320/P4280058.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Here's a chance to use some material you may have lying around. This project is good if you have material that is loosely woven. I used flannel. Selected edges of the envelope have had the threads removed, giving it a "furry" look. This is not suitable for knits. This reusable fabric envelope can be used for packaging gifts.<br />
<br />
<b>Tutorial</b><br />
Making a Fabric Envelope<br />
<br />
<b>Difficulty Level</b><br />
Very easy<br />
<br />
<b>Time Taken</b><br />
5 minutes<br />
<br />
<b>Materials</b><br />
Loosely Woven Fabric<br />
Scissors<br />
Sewing Machine<br />
Thread<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehQs9E_pI/AAAAAAAAAYE/7lyR689Qjgc/s1600-h/P4280046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehQs9E_pI/AAAAAAAAAYE/7lyR689Qjgc/s320/P4280046.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<b>Instructions</b><br />
1) Trim the edge of the piece of fabric so it is straight. The piece of flannel that I used included the selvedge edge, which I will keep as a decorative part of the envelope. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehcaoAnWI/AAAAAAAAAYM/JxptekyUBFw/s1600-h/P4280047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehcaoAnWI/AAAAAAAAAYM/JxptekyUBFw/s320/P4280047.JPG" /></a></div><br />
2) Fold the bottom edge up, to the size you would like the envelope to be. Trim the top edge 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) above the top edge of the envelope.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehiDpmy8I/AAAAAAAAAYU/AEXD5FsNfsA/s1600-h/P4280048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehiDpmy8I/AAAAAAAAAYU/AEXD5FsNfsA/s320/P4280048.JPG" /></a></div><br />
3) Sew the right edges of the envelope, 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) from the right edge. Similarly with the left edge. In the picture below, you can see the selvedge edge of the fabric that I used.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehrARGeGI/AAAAAAAAAYc/ORMStsM0Ndg/s1600-h/P4280049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehrARGeGI/AAAAAAAAAYc/ORMStsM0Ndg/s320/P4280049.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehyyW0ZZI/AAAAAAAAAYk/yHkJ4aCzQTc/s1600-h/P4280050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3ehyyW0ZZI/AAAAAAAAAYk/yHkJ4aCzQTc/s320/P4280050.JPG" /></a></div><br />
4) Fold the envelope so that the flap is folded in half. Trim the flap at an angle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eh5Zs0jmI/AAAAAAAAAYs/LMy6LlFzaq0/s1600-h/P4280051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eh5Zs0jmI/AAAAAAAAAYs/LMy6LlFzaq0/s320/P4280051.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5) Unfold the envelope.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eh5Zs0jmI/AAAAAAAAAYs/LMy6LlFzaq0/s1600-h/P4280051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eh_MCi3DI/AAAAAAAAAY0/0SqpQBjo8XM/s1600-h/P4280052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eh_MCi3DI/AAAAAAAAAY0/0SqpQBjo8XM/s320/P4280052.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6) Remove the threads along the top edge of the flap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eiFUuayzI/AAAAAAAAAY8/VLUDx20vHro/s1600-h/P4280053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eiFUuayzI/AAAAAAAAAY8/VLUDx20vHro/s320/P4280053.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7) Remove the threads along the sides of the flap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eiLS7gPqI/AAAAAAAAAZE/dapzZGIpdPE/s1600-h/P4280054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eiLS7gPqI/AAAAAAAAAZE/dapzZGIpdPE/s320/P4280054.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8) Remove the threads along the top edge of the envelope's opening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eiRO8uk9I/AAAAAAAAAZM/Pa8Q7oveoXQ/s1600-h/P4280055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eiRO8uk9I/AAAAAAAAAZM/Pa8Q7oveoXQ/s320/P4280055.JPG" /></a></div><br />
9) Put a gift in the envelope and tie a ribbon on it, or put a pin the front. Here, I used a pins that I received from <a href="http://etsylawst.blogspot.com/">LAWST</a> in their <a href="http://myknottythoughts.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-won-blog-giveaway.html">Blog Giveaway</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eidi-9cWI/AAAAAAAAAZc/H3BVXS2fgTk/s1600-h/P4280057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3eidi-9cWI/AAAAAAAAAZc/H3BVXS2fgTk/s320/P4280057.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-67409031830332546952010-02-04T21:30:00.000-08:002010-02-13T20:47:17.434-08:00Tutorial 10--Junk Mail Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ust4OUK0I/AAAAAAAAAV8/c6Rog2UBBCU/s1600-h/P4170001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ust4OUK0I/AAAAAAAAAV8/c6Rog2UBBCU/s320/P4170001.JPG" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I hope this little card</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Brightens up your day.</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I made it out of junk mail</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">So don't throw it away.</span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">I donated the 3 cards above to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Etsy's Special Delivery Project.</span></span></span></i></span></span></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/article/6871/"><img src="http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2009/01/SDBanner125x125.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://myknottythoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/tutorial-2-junk-mail-xmas-card.html">Tutorial 2</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">,</span> I showed how you could make a Christmas card out of junk mail, by using a method known as </span><a href="http://www.iris-folding.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">iris folding</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, in this tutorial, I will make a Valentine's Day card using </span><a href="http://www.iris-folding.com/freepatterns.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">free templates</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> on the web to speed the process up; however, the templates require that you work on the iris folding from the back of the card, so it is more difficult to spot mistakes if you are using junk mail. This tutorial will be easier to understand if you have already done Tutorial 2. Instead of junk mail, you can use wrapping paper, origami paper, or ribbons. </span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The rightmost card below was made using junk mail advertisements for plaid shirts. It would be a nice, not-too-sissy Valentine's Day card to give to a man.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Tutorial</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Making an iris folding Valentine's Day card out of junk mail, using a template (this tutorial is for the card in the center).</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fheCtb6qI/AAAAAAAAAUE/A1ejMLUz3lc/s1600-h/P4130020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fheCtb6qI/AAAAAAAAAUE/A1ejMLUz3lc/s320/P4130020.JPG" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Difficulty Level</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Very easy</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Time Taken</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I hour</span><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Materials</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thick paper for the card (I used 67 lb cover stock)--one large piece and one half its size</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Junk Mail, unwanted magazine, used wrapping paper, or any other pretty paper</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Scotch tape</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Glue</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Scissors</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ribbon or string</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Color pencil</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Optional--Compasses, bowl or some circular object for drawing a circle</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fhBhvKd4I/AAAAAAAAAT8/V-dn9oZZAAg/s1600-h/Materials.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fhBhvKd4I/AAAAAAAAAT8/V-dn9oZZAAg/s320/Materials.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Instructions</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 1) Fold the large sheet of thick paper into half. If the paper is too large for the card, cut it to an appropriate size. I cut mine to 6.2 inches (1.5 cm) by 4.5 inches (11.3 cm) before folding.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYJsx2nvXI/AAAAAAAAADY/Qt0WiuutacQ/s1600-h/P2150002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #225588; display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYJsx2nvXI/AAAAAAAAADY/Qt0WiuutacQ/s320/P2150002.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" /></span></a></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 2) Cut a</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> piece of thick paper (I used the same cover stock) to the same size as the front of the card (i.e. half the size of the paper in Step 1). This will be the frame of the card.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 3) Draw half a heart on a separate piece of paper. I used the compasses to draw a circle.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 4) Cut the half a heart out.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fji2SHDWI/AAAAAAAAAUM/LIllDGytJ8k/s1600-h/P4130004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fji2SHDWI/AAAAAAAAAUM/LIllDGytJ8k/s320/P4130004.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 5) Draw half a heart on the frame from Step 2. Flip the half heart piece and use it to draw the opposite side of the heart. Make sure the heart is centered.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fjy9nZgmI/AAAAAAAAAUU/UHY6SJI3ARM/s1600-h/P4130005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fjy9nZgmI/AAAAAAAAAUU/UHY6SJI3ARM/s320/P4130005.JPG" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 6) Cut the heart shape out of the card stock.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fj-HWl7XI/AAAAAAAAAUc/k026JJeotUw/s1600-h/P4130006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fj-HWl7XI/AAAAAAAAAUc/k026JJeotUw/s320/P4130006.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 7) Print </span><a href="http://www.iris-folding.com/Triangle.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">this template</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> out. The template was too small for the heart I had cut, so I drew extra lines, extending the pattern on the template.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 8) Tape the frame onto the template, so that the iris is in the center of the heart. Note that you are looking at the back of the frame. The heart covered some of the numbers up, so I rewrote them within the same triangle, in a position where I could see them.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fk1EVVH6I/AAAAAAAAAUk/2Sh-OJjp6A4/s1600-h/P4130007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fk1EVVH6I/AAAAAAAAAUk/2Sh-OJjp6A4/s320/P4130007.JPG" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 9) Cut out pictures with pretty colors from the junk mail. Since this is a Valentine's Day card, I cut out pictures with lots of red, purple and pink.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fl5vZv7yI/AAAAAAAAAUs/fUCZj1EEiUQ/s1600-h/P4130008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fl5vZv7yI/AAAAAAAAAUs/fUCZj1EEiUQ/s320/P4130008.JPG" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 10) Cut out a sliver of junk mail. Determine which side of the sliver is the right side (which will be shown on the card). Fold one long raw edge over, with wrong sides together. Tape the folded sliver on to the smallest number that appears in the template, placing the folded edge aligned with the lines of the template. Do not tape on the template.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
Tip: The project will go faster if you stop reading the junk mail.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 11) Continue with another sliver, taping the sliver onto the portion with the next larger number on the template. Make sure the sliver is long and wide enough to cover the corresponding number portion on the template. Here's what it looks like after 3 slivers have been taped. Note that the folded edges are aligned with the lines of the template.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fn74lzdSI/AAAAAAAAAU0/JE9XHZZx_zI/s1600-h/P4130012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fn74lzdSI/AAAAAAAAAU0/JE9XHZZx_zI/s320/P4130012.JPG" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 12) Continue in this manner. Here's what the frame looks like halfway through.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2foqH_pjEI/AAAAAAAAAU8/UF2Ys_yWYgs/s1600-h/P4130013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2foqH_pjEI/AAAAAAAAAU8/UF2Ys_yWYgs/s320/P4130013.JPG" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm going to flip it over to show you what it looks like so far. If you're not careful, you could end up with words or some undesirable picture on the front. This is the nature of junk mail. We are, after all, working with junk. Also, I've found that the project goes faster if I stop admiring the advertisements. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fo6vtr0LI/AAAAAAAAAVE/UEHozQQvS98/s1600-h/P4130014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fo6vtr0LI/AAAAAAAAAVE/UEHozQQvS98/s320/P4130014.JPG" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 13) Continue taping slivers to the back of the frame. Find some special picture for the iris. I found a picture of a dress with a flower on it, which I will be using for the iris.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fpxEsKITI/AAAAAAAAAVM/QGu-GDoc9g4/s1600-h/P4130015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fpxEsKITI/AAAAAAAAAVM/QGu-GDoc9g4/s320/P4130015.JPG" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 14) Tape the final piece of junk mail over the iris. Detach the frame from the template. Turn the frame over so it is topside up.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fqDEwjxKI/AAAAAAAAAVU/mAPvpoYA1rs/s1600-h/P4130016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fqDEwjxKI/AAAAAAAAAVU/mAPvpoYA1rs/s320/P4130016.JPG" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 15) Outline the heart with a color pencil. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 16) Tie a bow and glue it to the bottom of the heart.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 17) Glue the frame to the larger piece of card stock.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fq63bAyOI/AAAAAAAAAVk/9naqWFAvsfo/s1600-h/P4130022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2fq63bAyOI/AAAAAAAAAVk/9naqWFAvsfo/s320/P4130022.JPG" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Step 18) Write a note in it, and give it to someone special :) .</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-21198637994503648212010-01-30T19:43:00.000-08:002010-02-17T23:33:54.243-08:00I WON a Blog Giveaway!I had entered the <a href="http://etsylawst.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Loud and Wacky Street Team</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span>(LAWST) New Year's Blog Giveaway. Entering was easy. I had to visit each of 10 shops, and pick my favorite item from each shop. I could have additional blog giveaway entries by blogging about the giveaway, purchasing from any of the 10 shops, or by following the blog. Each of the 10 shops donated a prize.<br />
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Earlier this week, I was excited to receive a message stating that I was the winner of the blog giveaway. On Friday, I received a big box, with all the wonderful prizes!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZNfDXvDII/AAAAAAAAASM/thO_Uwurtok/s1600-h/overall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZNfDXvDII/AAAAAAAAASM/thO_Uwurtok/s320/overall.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Here's what I got:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZNwZleKAI/AAAAAAAAASU/rwOEH4bjmwk/s1600-h/meesh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZNwZleKAI/AAAAAAAAASU/rwOEH4bjmwk/s200/meesh.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Thank you <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/meeshspieces"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Meesh's Pieces</span></a> for this fluffy scarf. It's cold outside. This is just perfect for the cold weather, and the scarf is so soft and comfortable. It easily wraps twice around my neck.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZOfdnbe6I/AAAAAAAAASc/WquA1nrjzPg/s1600-h/Fridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZOfdnbe6I/AAAAAAAAASc/WquA1nrjzPg/s200/Fridge.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Thank you <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/laughingfridge"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Laughing Fridge</span></a> for this colorful refrigerator magnet. The fish is following me around with its one eye as I walk around the room.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3DKxEM_JLI/AAAAAAAAAXc/tTUFYIfR3cA/s1600-h/P4250026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S3DKxEM_JLI/AAAAAAAAAXc/tTUFYIfR3cA/s200/P4250026.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Thank you <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/itzfitz"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Itz Fitz</span></a> for this cute little squirrel bookmark. It's so handy, and the squirrel will look like its popping out of the book.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2Zem7CNnkI/AAAAAAAAATU/pRndCYboxSI/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2Zem7CNnkI/AAAAAAAAATU/pRndCYboxSI/s200/P4160001.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Thank you <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/susanwilliamsdesigns"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Susan Williams Designs</span></a> for this unusual glass pendant and necklace. The cord feels so velvety. It will go well with my gray sweater.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s200/P4160001.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZLkwGWJ3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/D8HVYzs1_Mc/s1600-h/P4160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Thank you <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/donkeysays"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Donkey Says</span></a> for this dainty necklace. It has a convenient magnetic clasp that will be a snap to put on when I'm in a hurry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZjTY_QlcI/AAAAAAAAATs/q2Q4HRdv-Vo/s1600-h/souli.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZjTY_QlcI/AAAAAAAAATs/q2Q4HRdv-Vo/s200/souli.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Thank you </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/soulinchains"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Soul in Chains</span></a></span> for this furry, fully-lined bag. I've never seen novelty yarn like this before. It's hairy and has white fabric and shimmering tinsel in it. What an interesting conversation piece.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZSH2euwtI/AAAAAAAAAS0/RuQYFeR5ut0/s1600-h/moreideasthantime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZSH2euwtI/AAAAAAAAAS0/RuQYFeR5ut0/s200/moreideasthantime.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/moreideasthantime"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">More Ideas Than Time</span></a> for this pretty, fully-lined crocheted bag. I've been meaning to reorganize my purse. Now I'll have a place to keep my nick knacks when I go out.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZZaDaFu6I/AAAAAAAAATM/sCDUMQVDp0E/s1600-h/P4160002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZZaDaFu6I/AAAAAAAAATM/sCDUMQVDp0E/s200/P4160002.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Thank you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/keychainsbydesign"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Keychains By Design</span></a> </span>for this brightly-colored keychain. I'll be able to spot my keys easily with this, and the gnomes won't be able to hide my keys from me ever again.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZXIiFEsaI/AAAAAAAAAS8/wLB2u1gou_0/s1600-h/hischild.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZXIiFEsaI/AAAAAAAAAS8/wLB2u1gou_0/s200/hischild.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Thank you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/hischild"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">His Child</span></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">for these sparkly crystal earrings. They're cute, great for all occasions, and go with just about any kind of clothes.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZYZiwccvI/AAAAAAAAATE/exaWm0TnZOM/s1600-h/cassie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZYZiwccvI/AAAAAAAAATE/exaWm0TnZOM/s200/cassie.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Thank you <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/cassiescreations09"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Cassie's Creations 09</span></a> for these practical note cards. I've already used one of them, between the time I took the photo and now.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZMwt-9jnI/AAAAAAAAASE/QewuPl3NoOE/s1600-h/P4160002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2ZMwt-9jnI/AAAAAAAAASE/QewuPl3NoOE/s200/P4160002.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Special Thanks go to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Reflections"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Reflections</span></a> </span>for donating this embroidered gift bag for the finishing touch. I like how the fish is blowing a bubble.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-59887697635912133702010-01-29T20:40:00.000-08:002010-02-04T23:03:20.666-08:00Tutorial 9--Spiral Macrame BraceletThis is a free tutorial for two-color macrame bracelet. It is made with the Overhand Knot and Square knot, which were seen in <a href="http://myknottythoughts.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutorial-4-hemp-bracelet.html">Tutorial 4</a>. It will also include the Half Knot Spiral, which we will learn in this tutorial. The Half Knot spiral is named such because it is half of the Square Knot, and, made repeatedly, results in a spiral.<br />
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I've included a few beads in the bracelet as well. For this project, I have used cotton yarn which is about 1 mm thick. You can use acrylic yarn, hemp, or any of the myriad types of string-like materials available. I encourage you to experiment.<br />
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As usual, you can pin your work to a pillow or safety pin it to your pants, or tape it to a table to make it easier to work with.<br />
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<b>Tutorial</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Making a Spiral Macrame Bracelet, 7 inches (18 cm) long</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2O336aFulI/AAAAAAAAAQc/4vnaqsvOvtw/s1600-h/P4080030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2O336aFulI/AAAAAAAAAQc/4vnaqsvOvtw/s320/P4080030.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<b>Difficulty Level</b><br />
Very Easy<br />
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<b>Time Taken</b><br />
15 minutes<br />
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<b>Materials</b><br />
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<ul><li>50 inches (125 cm) of red cotton yarn</li>
<li>50 inches (125 cm) of white cotton yarn</li>
<li>3 Beads with holes large enough for 2 lengths of yarn to fit though (I show 6 beads in the following picture, but only used 3)</li>
<li>Crochet hook for pulling yarn through the beads</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2OzGHuo2BI/AAAAAAAAAPk/IliTKY8Jges/s1600-h/P4080021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2OzGHuo2BI/AAAAAAAAAPk/IliTKY8Jges/s320/P4080021.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Instructions<br />
1) Align one red end and one white end of the yarn, and straighten.<br />
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2) Fold the yarn over 12 inches (30 cm) from the end.<br />
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3) Leave a loop about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) long. Tie an overhand knot. This is part of the clasp.<br />
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4) Tie 5 Square knots, using the 2 short ends as holding cords and the 2 long ends as working cords. Thread the 2 holding cords through the bead. I used the crochet hook to aid me in this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2O0BFTbpUI/AAAAAAAAAPs/3QruYAci2G4/s1600-h/P4080022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2O0BFTbpUI/AAAAAAAAAPs/3QruYAci2G4/s320/P4080022.JPG" /></a></div><br />
5) Now we will start tying the spiral. Start as you would a Square Knot, by putting the left cord over the holding cords, then putting the right cord over the left cord and up through the space created by the left cord. Note that the white cord is on top of the holding cords at this point.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2O00XZVMmI/AAAAAAAAAP0/sbsJG-j7CVQ/s1600-h/P4080023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2O00XZVMmI/AAAAAAAAAP0/sbsJG-j7CVQ/s320/P4080023.JPG" /></a></div><br />
6) Tighten. This is a Half Knot Spiral. Note that the two working cords are on the outside of the bead.<br />
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7) Ordinarily, to make a Square Knot, the white cord will continue to be above the holding cords; however, for a Half Knot Spiral, the white cord and the red cord take turns being above the holding cords. In other words, to make a Half Knot Spiral, always put the left cord over the holding cords.<br />
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8) Continue until you have 2 inches (5 cm) of Half Knot Spirals. Thread the 2 holding cords through the second bead.<br />
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9) Make another 2 inches (5 cm) of Half Knot Spirals. Thread the 2 holding cords through the third bead.<br />
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10) Make 10 Square Knots.<br />
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11) Tie an Overhand Knot close to the final Square Knot. If the Knot is not big enough to form a tight clasp, tie more Overhand Knots. Trim the ends.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2O3xHKdIwI/AAAAAAAAAQU/IsetJfCkpuc/s1600-h/P4080029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2O3xHKdIwI/AAAAAAAAAQU/IsetJfCkpuc/s320/P4080029.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-85259215469117175612010-01-28T17:33:00.000-08:002010-02-06T18:53:06.367-08:00Tutorial 8--Striped Friendship BraceletFriendship bracelets were all the craze in the 1970s. Kids would make them and give them to each other, and see who could go to school with an arm or two covered with these bracelets. Many would wear them until the bracelets fell off. <br />
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Friendship bracelets are made by tying knots. I'll show you how to make a striped friendship bracelet in this free tutorial. I recommend that you try <a href="http://myknottythoughts.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutorial-7-macrame-bracelet.html">Tutorial 7</a> first, as we will be using the Double Half Hitch knot repeatedly. I'm going to make mine in 6 different shades of brown, but you can make them in whatever color you like. Here's a colorful striped one in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship_bracelet">wikipedia</a>. I'll show you how to make some of the other ones in wikipedia in another tutorial.<br />
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The main part of the bracelet is striped, and the ends have been braided to form ties, which are used for tying the bracelet to a friend's wrist.<br />
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As usual, I recommend pinning your work to a corkboard or pillow, or even taping it to a table while you work.<br />
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<b>Tutorial</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Striped Friendship Bracelet</span><br />
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<b>Difficulty Level</b><br />
Very Easy<br />
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<b>Time Taken</b><br />
1 1/2 hour<br />
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<b>Materials</b><br />
Embroidery Floss, 6 different colors, 50 inches (125 cm ) of each color to make a 7-inch (17.5 cm) long bracelet with 2 1/2 inch (6.5 cm) long ties.<br />
Scissors<br />
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Instructions<br />
1) Cut a 50-inch length of each of the 6 colors.<br />
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2) Align the 6 ends of the cords. Tie an Overhand knot 6 inches (12.5 cm) from the end, using all 6 cords. <br />
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3) We will now braid from the Overhand knot towards the end of the 6-inch (12.5-cm) length, using 3 pairs of cords. To braid, pick up the pair of cords on the right, and place them in between the other 2 pairs of cords.<br />
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4) Pick up the pair of cords on the left and place them in between the other 2 pairs of cords. Steps 3 and 4 complete one iteration of a braid.<br />
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5) Repeat steps 3 and 4. Here's a picture of what it looks like at this point.<br />
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6) Continue braiding, keeping the braid tight, until you have 2.5 inches (7.5 cm) of cord left. Tie an Overhand Knot. Turn the cords around so that the long cords are now towards you. Steps 2 through 6 form a tie about 2 1/2 inches (6.5 cm) long.<br />
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7) We will now make the striped portion of the bracelet. Separate the 6 cords. Place the rightmost cord over all the other cords. This is the holding cord for the next 5 Double Half Hitches. The other 5 cords are the working cords.<br />
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8) Lift the current rightmost cord and wrap it around the cord from Step 7.<br />
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9) Tighten. Lift the same cord from Step 8, and wrap it around the cord from Step 7 a second time. Tighten. Steps 8 and 9 form the Double Half Hitch, just like the one from Tutorial 7. Make sure that the holding cord is straight, while the working cords wrap around the holding cord.<br />
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10) Continue making Double Half Hitches, using the same holding cord, and each of the working cords. There will be 5 Double Half Hitches. In this firs row of Double Half Hitches, there is a tendency for the Double Half Hitches to be tied farther and farther away from the Overhand Knot. This is fine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2I4aHST5YI/AAAAAAAAAO0/9CMvAawDufo/s1600-h/P4080015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2I4aHST5YI/AAAAAAAAAO0/9CMvAawDufo/s320/P4080015.JPG" /></a></div><br />
11) Repeat Steps 7 through 10, using the current rightmost cord as the holding cord and the other 5 cords as working cords.<br />
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12) Continue in this manner until the bracelet is of the desired length. I made mine 7 inches (17.5 cm) long.<br />
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13) Tie an Overhand knot close to the last row of Double Half Hitches.<br />
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14) Braid 3 pairs of cords to form another tie.<br />
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15) Tie an overhand knot at the end of the final braid. <br />
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16) Give it to a friend :) .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2I6RNZrdFI/AAAAAAAAAPM/9BWdI4QZqd8/s1600-h/P4080018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2I6RNZrdFI/AAAAAAAAAPM/9BWdI4QZqd8/s320/P4080018.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-20180091512517403142010-01-25T02:42:00.000-08:002010-02-04T23:01:04.854-08:00Tutorial 7--Macrame BraceletSo far, all the knots I have been using in the knotting tutorials have been square knots, or overhand knots. This tutorial introduces the Double Half Hitch. This knot is also sometimes called the Forwards Knot, as well as the Backwards Knot (two different versions of the Double Half Hitch). <br />
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<b>Tutorial</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Double Half Hitch Macrame Bracelet</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S111Xo99NyI/AAAAAAAAAN0/atrsn2uUAIg/s1600-h/P4050038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S111Xo99NyI/AAAAAAAAAN0/atrsn2uUAIg/s320/P4050038.JPG" /></a></div><b>Difficulty Level </b><br />
Very easy<br />
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<b>Time Taken</b><br />
10 minutes<br />
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<b>Materials</b><br />
2 colors of Yarn, 70 inches (178 cm) each (string, hemp or embroidery floss work as well)<br />
Large Bead, with a hold large enough for 4 pieces of yarn to go through<br />
Scissors<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11vYWNUdQI/AAAAAAAAAME/XCdmuBBURZc/s1600-h/P4050022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11vYWNUdQI/AAAAAAAAAME/XCdmuBBURZc/s320/P4050022.JPG" /></a></div><b>Instructions</b><br />
1) Measure 15 inches (38 cm) from the end of each piece of yarn, and fold. Tie an overhand knot near the fold (depending on the size of the bead), so that the bead can just go through the loop created.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11wYzQvv9I/AAAAAAAAAMM/o5PjcVc73hA/s1600-h/P4050023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11wYzQvv9I/AAAAAAAAAMM/o5PjcVc73hA/s320/P4050023.JPG" /></a></div>2) Separate the cords so that the two short ends are in the center. These will be the holding cords. Separate the longer ends so that one is on the left and the other is on the right. I have bundled up the longer cords so they will be easier to work with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11xCtQL0_I/AAAAAAAAAMU/6g1NyKMKEco/s1600-h/P4050025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11xCtQL0_I/AAAAAAAAAMU/6g1NyKMKEco/s320/P4050025.JPG" /></a></div>3) Put the right (pink) cord over the holding cords.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11xcyizlPI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Schm5YJYPYI/s1600-h/P4050026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11xcyizlPI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Schm5YJYPYI/s320/P4050026.JPG" /></a></div>4) Turn the end of the pink cord under the holding cords, and up through the space created in Step 3.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11x0QaS92I/AAAAAAAAAMk/Uq0Te21XCco/s1600-h/P4050027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11x0QaS92I/AAAAAAAAAMk/Uq0Te21XCco/s320/P4050027.JPG" /></a></div>5) Tighten. Repeat Steps 3 and 4.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11yDGik6VI/AAAAAAAAAMs/v88Xj6Vro30/s1600-h/P4050028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11yDGik6VI/AAAAAAAAAMs/v88Xj6Vro30/s320/P4050028.JPG" /></a></div>6) Tighten. You have completed a double half hitch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11y1nzq9fI/AAAAAAAAAM0/61OGXCxoSP8/s1600-h/P4050029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11y1nzq9fI/AAAAAAAAAM0/61OGXCxoSP8/s320/P4050029.JPG" /></a></div>7) We will now do a mirror image of Steps 3 through 6, this time using the left (green) cord as the working cord. Put the left (green) cord over the holding cords.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11zWk-jyDI/AAAAAAAAAM8/F4TDrVwkEK4/s1600-h/P4050030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11zWk-jyDI/AAAAAAAAAM8/F4TDrVwkEK4/s320/P4050030.JPG" /></a></div>8) Turn the end of the green cord under the holding cords, and up through the space created in Step 7.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11zeNRb4fI/AAAAAAAAANE/NS7eqIFG_n0/s1600-h/P4050031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11zeNRb4fI/AAAAAAAAANE/NS7eqIFG_n0/s320/P4050031.JPG" /></a></div>9) Repeat Steps 7 and 8.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11zsfhYn8I/AAAAAAAAANM/fKozP5hyL_o/s1600-h/P4050032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11zsfhYn8I/AAAAAAAAANM/fKozP5hyL_o/s320/P4050032.JPG" /></a></div>10) Tighten. Steps 7 through 9 form another Double Half Hitch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11z9q1kUUI/AAAAAAAAANU/g8tv3PhD8zE/s1600-h/P4050033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S11z9q1kUUI/AAAAAAAAANU/g8tv3PhD8zE/s320/P4050033.JPG" /></a></div>11) Repeat steps 3 through 10 until you have a length of double half hitches of desired length for your bracelet. I made mine 7 inches long.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S110dhBSMyI/AAAAAAAAANc/45bVlFe7NM0/s1600-h/P4050034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S110dhBSMyI/AAAAAAAAANc/45bVlFe7NM0/s320/P4050034.JPG" /></a></div>12) Tie an overhand knot close to the last Double Half Hitch<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S110ynsQadI/AAAAAAAAANk/46PItYq_9lM/s1600-h/P4050035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S110ynsQadI/AAAAAAAAANk/46PItYq_9lM/s320/P4050035.JPG" /></a></div>13) Thread all 4 ends through the bead. Push the bead close to the overhand knot from Step 12. Tie another overhand knot close to the bead. The bead and loop work together as a clasp.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S111NU1AlFI/AAAAAAAAANs/RbmdnoVIPZU/s1600-h/P4050037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S111NU1AlFI/AAAAAAAAANs/RbmdnoVIPZU/s320/P4050037.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-53573595851866345812010-01-24T01:19:00.000-08:002010-02-05T00:07:04.483-08:00Tutorial 6--Macrame Dragonfly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vLONWvvrI/AAAAAAAAAWM/6MgaLsyH9S0/s1600-h/P4210013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vLONWvvrI/AAAAAAAAAWM/6MgaLsyH9S0/s320/P4210013.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is an easy-to-make macrame Dragonfly. It only uses one type of knot, the Square Knot, which I demonstrated in <a href="http://myknottythoughts.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutorial-4-hemp-bracelet.html">Tutorial 4</a>. I found a tutorial called <a href="http://whatknot.tripod.com/knots/dragon.htm">Dragonfly Knot</a> which shows how to make the dragonfly without the beads. I decided to write my own tutorial, showing how to incorporate the beads into the dragonfly's eyes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tutorial</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Making a macrame dragonfly, with beads</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Difficulty Level</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Very easy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Materials</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yarn, string or hemp, 28 inches (70 cm) long</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 beads with holes large enough for the cords to pass through</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Scissors</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Optional--crochet hook for getting the yarn through the beads</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Instructions</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1) String the yarn through both beads; I used the crochet hook to help with that. Make an M-shape with the yarn, where the valley of the M-shape is 3 inches from the top of the M-shape. Adjust the beads so they are on the top of the M-shape. Adjust the yarn so the ends on the left and right are of approximately the same length.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vO5DOMvRI/AAAAAAAAAWU/3LNX1XXniWw/s1600-h/P4210002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vO5DOMvRI/AAAAAAAAAWU/3LNX1XXniWw/s320/P4210002.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3) Tie 2 square knots tightly, using the 2 center cords as holding cords and the 2 ends as working cords. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vPWE8IT-I/AAAAAAAAAWc/vL7VTT4wnHM/s1600-h/P4210003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vPWE8IT-I/AAAAAAAAAWc/vL7VTT4wnHM/s320/P4210003.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4) Tie a 3rd square knot, leaving the top loops on both the left and right sides loose. These will form the first pair of wings. Adjust the top loops so they are of about the same size.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vPxcv5LCI/AAAAAAAAAWs/BSNgTaJEO04/s1600-h/P4210008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vPxcv5LCI/AAAAAAAAAWs/BSNgTaJEO04/s320/P4210008.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5) Tighten the square knot without tightening the top loops. Push the square knot so it is next to the previous square knot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vQjQEG_eI/AAAAAAAAAW8/dcozxLGWkD0/s1600-h/P4210009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vQjQEG_eI/AAAAAAAAAW8/dcozxLGWkD0/s320/P4210009.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6) Make a 4th square knot by repeating Steps 4 and 5, this time making the top loops smaller. These top loops will form the second pair of wings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vQrEWWhwI/AAAAAAAAAXE/yNCQ67lThds/s1600-h/P4210010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vQrEWWhwI/AAAAAAAAAXE/yNCQ67lThds/s320/P4210010.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vQ2xCR48I/AAAAAAAAAXM/H9Igqgh-bSM/s1600-h/P4210011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vQ2xCR48I/AAAAAAAAAXM/H9Igqgh-bSM/s320/P4210011.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7) Make 2 more square knots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vREoWF0EI/AAAAAAAAAXU/z8RCQu_ImrY/s1600-h/P4210012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vREoWF0EI/AAAAAAAAAXU/z8RCQu_ImrY/s320/P4210012.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8) Trim the ends. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9) If necessary, apply glue to the last knot to prevent it from unraveling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">---------------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a macrame dragonfly I made.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vK4UUOyuI/AAAAAAAAAWE/fH1AnbtdaCA/s1600-h/P2040056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S2vK4UUOyuI/AAAAAAAAAWE/fH1AnbtdaCA/s320/P2040056.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-56489243960915146482010-01-19T22:37:00.000-08:002010-02-13T21:10:21.154-08:00Tutorial 5--Hemp BraceletThis tutorial is very similar to Tutorial 4, and has only a few minor modifications. The main purpose of this tutorial is to introduce hemp as a jewelry-making material. Because the hemp I used to make this bracelet is thicker than the embroidery thread I used in Tutorial 4, the bracelet was much faster to make.<br />
<br />
<b>Tutorial</b><br />
<span style="color: red;">Making a Macrame Bracelet 7 inches (18 cm) long.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1alFNS8ToI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/OKtQv2R4sXo/s1600-h/P4050006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1alFNS8ToI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/OKtQv2R4sXo/s320/P4050006.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Difficulty Level</span><br />
Very easy<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Time taken</span><br />
10 minutes<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Materials</span><br />
Hemp cord, 1.5mm wide.<br />
Scissors<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Instructions</span><br />
Follow the instructions as in <a href="http://myknottythoughts.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutorial-4-hemp-bracelet.html">Tutorial 4--Macrame Bookmark</a>, from Step 1 to Step 16.<br />
<br />
Tip: You can roll up the hemp and use two different colors of clips to clip them, so you can more easily tell which cord is supposed to go over all the other cords.<br />
<br />
Trim the ends short. Fasten the bracelet on by slipping the overhand knot into the loop.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I've placed the hemp bracelet next to the bookmark from Tutorial 4 so you can compare their widths and number of square knots needed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1ajXQi-nrI/AAAAAAAAAJs/Vv4C7om38Ms/s1600-h/P4050004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1ajXQi-nrI/AAAAAAAAAJs/Vv4C7om38Ms/s320/P4050004.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-1644978298585547662010-01-18T21:53:00.000-08:002010-02-04T23:00:47.657-08:00Tutorial 4--Macrame BookmarkThis is a tutorial for a macrame bookmark. According to the <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/macrame">dictionary</a>, macrame was originally a Turkish word for a kind of fringe on hand-towels. The word "macrame" can be used as a noun representing special knots, to describe the technique of knot-tying, or as a verb.<br />
<br />
I won't be making any hand towels, but I will be using macrame to make a bracelet out of embroidery thread, which is a popular material for such projects. A wonderful thing about macrame is that it requires few tools other than a pair of scissors, and your hands.<br />
<br />
<b>Tutorial</b><br />
<span style="color: red;">Making a Macrame Bookmark, 7 inches (18 cm) long</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1af4Fg4IZI/AAAAAAAAAJk/ymtxm2NBhxo/s1600-h/P4050002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1af4Fg4IZI/AAAAAAAAAJk/ymtxm2NBhxo/s320/P4050002.JPG" /></a></div><b>Difficulty Level</b><br />
Very Easy<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Materials</span><br />
<ul><li>2 skeins of embroidery thread, in different colors. I used DMC brand, one yellow, one brown. There are 6 separate strands in each skein. Do not separate the strands. Instead of embroidery thread, you can use hemp or yarn.</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
</ul><br />
<ul></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time Needed</span><br />
1 hour<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Instructions</b><br />
1) Cut a 50 inch (127 cm) length of yellow embroidery thread. Do not separate the strands. All 6 strands will be used at the same time. I will use the word "cord" to denote all 6 strands of thread of a single color.<br />
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2) Cut another length of brown embroidery thread, same length as the first, and, again, do not separate the strands.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aYVQBC38I/AAAAAAAAAH0/EnsEJykIbPw/s1600-h/P4050002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aYVQBC38I/AAAAAAAAAH0/EnsEJykIbPw/s320/P4050002.JPG" /></a></div><br />
3) Measure 13 inches (33 cm) from one end of both the brown and the yellow embroidery thread. Fold.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aYpfGl7WI/AAAAAAAAAH8/dsB_WvP4OaU/s1600-h/P4050003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aYpfGl7WI/AAAAAAAAAH8/dsB_WvP4OaU/s320/P4050003.JPG" /></a></div><br />
5) Tie an <b>Overhand</b><b> knot</b>. Tighten the knot as tightly as possible, leaving a loop about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) long.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aYzp-ioyI/AAAAAAAAAIE/vC4XPXL0oho/s1600-h/P4050005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aYzp-ioyI/AAAAAAAAAIE/vC4XPXL0oho/s320/P4050005.JPG" /></a></div><br />
6) Separate the cords so that 2 are in the center, one on the left, and one on the right. The two cords in the center are called the <b>Holding Cords</b>; their purpose is to provide a base to work with The cords on the left and right are called <b>Working Cords</b>; they will be used to tie knots onto the Holding Cords.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aY_IyD1wI/AAAAAAAAAIM/65R81fXXzjk/s1600-h/P4050010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aY_IyD1wI/AAAAAAAAAIM/65R81fXXzjk/s320/P4050010.JPG" /></a></div><br />
7) Place the left (<b>yellow</b>) cord over all the other cords. <br />
<br />
Tip: If the cords are too long to work with, roll each cord up and and put a clip on it. You can also use a clipboard or pins to secure the top of the bookmark, so that it doesn't move as much while you are tying. You can even safety pin it to your pants.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZQJTUkUI/AAAAAAAAAIU/8LeeVDiI924/s1600-h/P4050013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZQJTUkUI/AAAAAAAAAIU/8LeeVDiI924/s320/P4050013.JPG" /></a></div><br />
8) Place the right cord over the left cord from Step 7.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZXsQi4FI/AAAAAAAAAIc/7i1Eq0NFsyU/s1600-h/P4050014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZXsQi4FI/AAAAAAAAAIc/7i1Eq0NFsyU/s320/P4050014.JPG" /></a></div><br />
9) Tuck the right cord under the 2 center cords and up through the space created by Step 7.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZftDJ0aI/AAAAAAAAAIk/oRgeKT7K_P0/s1600-h/P4050017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZftDJ0aI/AAAAAAAAAIk/oRgeKT7K_P0/s320/P4050017.JPG" /></a></div><br />
10) Tighten by pulling on the two working cords. Note that the previously left and right (yellow and brown) cords have switched positions, i.e. the cord that used to be on the left is now on the right and vice versa.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZom-BVXI/AAAAAAAAAIs/ZExx5pD5FpM/s1600-h/P4050020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZom-BVXI/AAAAAAAAAIs/ZExx5pD5FpM/s320/P4050020.JPG" /></a></div><br />
11) Place the current right (yellow) cord over all the other cords.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZ4ts8aeI/AAAAAAAAAI0/8tAJoL3AJ8c/s1600-h/P4050021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZ4ts8aeI/AAAAAAAAAI0/8tAJoL3AJ8c/s320/P4050021.JPG" /></a></div><br />
12) Place the current left cord over the right cord from Step 11)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZ_Lp6r2I/AAAAAAAAAI8/s2Uv7XBgAfM/s1600-h/P4050022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aZ_Lp6r2I/AAAAAAAAAI8/s2Uv7XBgAfM/s320/P4050022.JPG" /></a></div><br />
13) Tuck the left cord under the 2 center cords and up through the space created by Step 11.<br />
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14) Tighten by pulling on the two working cords. Steps 7 through 14 form a <b>Square Knot</b>. <br />
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Tip: Note that in both steps 7 and 11, the yellow cord is placed over all the other cords. If you forget which step of the square knot you are working on, simply remember that the yellow cord is placed over all the other cords.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aaHTmRU6I/AAAAAAAAAJE/fJ6V7Hn9s-E/s1600-h/P4050026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aaHTmRU6I/AAAAAAAAAJE/fJ6V7Hn9s-E/s320/P4050026.JPG" /></a></div><br />
15) Continue making square knots until you have 7 inches of square knots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aaY7AL2qI/AAAAAAAAAJM/dwsMKNe7VCM/s1600-h/P4050001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aaY7AL2qI/AAAAAAAAAJM/dwsMKNe7VCM/s320/P4050001.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">16) Trim the cords at the end of the bracelet all to the same length as the shorted end. Using all 4 cords, tie an overhand knot as close as possible to the final square knot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">17) Separate the ends into 2 pairs. Tie overhand knots with each pair, near the end of the cords.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aeAQpPaWI/AAAAAAAAAJc/X7EQhySEzlM/s1600-h/P4050003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/S1aeAQpPaWI/AAAAAAAAAJc/X7EQhySEzlM/s320/P4050003.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-63707979880688862972009-12-02T17:14:00.000-08:002010-02-04T22:56:16.183-08:00Tutorial 3--More Junk Mail X'mas Cards<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is yet another Christmas card that I made out of junk mail that needed to be </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">reused/recycled/upcycled</span><span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I've continued with the idea of iris folding from tutorial 2, except that this time, I decided to tape the strips to the back of the frame instead of to the front of the card.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b>Tutorial </b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Another Christmas Card Made from Junk Mail (this tutorial is for the wreath on the left)</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcfFHHV4WI/AAAAAAAAAHA/J2Wpr75_zdE/s1600-h/P2170010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcfFHHV4WI/AAAAAAAAAHA/J2Wpr75_zdE/s320/P2170010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Materials</b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thick paper for the card (I used 67 lb cover stock)--one large piece and one half its size</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Junk Mail, magazine, used wrapping paper, or any pretty paper</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Scotch tape</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Glue</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Scissors</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">String</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Color pencil</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Compasses, bowl or some circular object for drawing a circle</span></b><br />
<span style="font-weight: 800;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: 800;">Time Taken</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: 800;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">1 hour</span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>General Idea</b><br />
Cut a circular shape out of the frame, like a round Christmas ornament, or a wreath. Tape strips of junk mail to the underside of the frame in a circular fashion. <br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b>Instructions</b><br />
Step 1 and 2) Same as in <a href="http://myknottythoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/tutorial-2-junk-mail-xmas-card.html">Tutorial 2</a>.<br />
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Step 3) Draw a circle on the half sheet of card stock (I will call this the frame). Make sure the circle is centered horizontally.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcS8PetRNI/AAAAAAAAAFo/C-j0lc8vTuI/s1600-h/P2170013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcS8PetRNI/AAAAAAAAAFo/C-j0lc8vTuI/s320/P2170013.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Step 4) Draw lines right through the diameter of the circle, at regular intervals. I used compasses to space the lines so that each pair of adjacent lines formed a 30-degree angle. You can just eyeball the position of the lines if you don't have compasses or a protractor.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcUdgJGdoI/AAAAAAAAAFw/kXcKnETjQGA/s1600-h/P2170014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcUdgJGdoI/AAAAAAAAAFw/kXcKnETjQGA/s320/P2170014.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step 5) Draw as big a circle as will fit onto the card, with the same center as the existing circle, ie you will have 2 concentric circles. This step is done only to improve the speed at which you can tape the strips on.</div><br />
Step 6) Cut the smaller circle out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcVmqQXd8I/AAAAAAAAAF4/SI1wWiXvtlg/s1600-h/P2170015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcVmqQXd8I/AAAAAAAAAF4/SI1wWiXvtlg/s320/P2170015.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Step 7) Number the lines in a counterclockwise manner. It doesn't matter where you start numbering. Whether you number the lines in a counterclockwise manner or clockwise manner doesn't matter, just choose a direction and number them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcWBW9OXqI/AAAAAAAAAGA/ebBBXZpGlUw/s1600-h/P2170016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcWBW9OXqI/AAAAAAAAAGA/ebBBXZpGlUw/s320/P2170016.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Step 8) Cut 12 strips of junk mail, about 1.5" by 3". Fold a raw edge of each strip to the wrong side.<br />
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Step 9) Tape a folded strip so that its folded edge crosses:<br />
the intersection of #1 and the outer circle<br />
the intersection of #6 and the outer circle<br />
Trim the strip so that you can see where each of the lines crosses the outer circle<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcZzNQ7XlI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/mf09sMjh-_A/s1600-h/P2170019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcZzNQ7XlI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/mf09sMjh-_A/s320/P2170019.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcZ6Bt0JhI/AAAAAAAAAGY/4m2mN6T4dZo/s1600-h/P2170020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcZ6Bt0JhI/AAAAAAAAAGY/4m2mN6T4dZo/s320/P2170020.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Step 10) Tape a folded strip so that its folded edge crosses:<br />
the intersection of #12 and the outer circle AND<br />
the intersection of #5 and the outer circle<br />
Trim the strip so that you can see where each of the lines crosses the outer circle<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcaPGiEB4I/AAAAAAAAAGo/O0J_AAWC7rU/s1600-h/P2170023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcaPGiEB4I/AAAAAAAAAGo/O0J_AAWC7rU/s320/P2170023.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Step 11) Continue taping strips in a clockwise manner, trimming the access. Whether your taping in a clockwise manner or counter clockwise manner does not matter, just make sure to choose one direction and stick with it. As you are taping the last few pieces, you will need to overlap pieces so that the design is consistent.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcbGbGNHuI/AAAAAAAAAGw/sUJdiUmn14Y/s1600-h/P2170026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxcbGbGNHuI/AAAAAAAAAGw/sUJdiUmn14Y/s320/P2170026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Step 12) Make sure the design looks regular from the front of the frame. Trim off any pieces that are jutting out of the edge of the frame.<br />
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Step 13) Glue the frame to the front of the card.<br />
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Step 14) Tie a piece of ribbon into a bow and glue it to the bottom of the wreath.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-27140654757601783372009-12-01T22:17:00.000-08:002010-02-13T20:46:00.681-08:00Tutorial 2--Junk Mail X'mas CardSince Christmas is getting close, I thought I would make a few Christmas cards. I loooked around at my materials, and I again see junk mail that could be reused/recycled/upcycled. I had read about a type of origami method called <a href="http://www.iris-folding.com/">iris folding</a>, and decided to incorporate it into my Christmas card. This card can also be used as a Christmas ornament since it has a piece of string attached to the top.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tutorial</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Making a Christmas Card out of Junk Mail (this tutorial is for the card on the left)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/Sxcg-WtwZyI/AAAAAAAAAHI/Zc4Wo1bjVEw/s1600-h/P2170001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/Sxcg-WtwZyI/AAAAAAAAAHI/Zc4Wo1bjVEw/s320/P2170001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Materials</span><br />
<ul><li>Thick paper for the card (I used 67 lb cover stock)--one large piece and one half its size</li>
<li>Junk Mail, unwanted magazine, used wrapping paper, or any other pretty paper</li>
<li>Scotch tape</li>
<li>Glue</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Ribbon or String</li>
<li>Color pencil</li>
<li>Compasses, bowl or some circular object for drawing a circle</li>
<li>Computer Printer for printing the template</li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYTutTAGFI/AAAAAAAAADw/IXaYIppvY1I/s1600-h/P2150001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYTutTAGFI/AAAAAAAAADw/IXaYIppvY1I/s320/P2150001.JPG" /></a></span><br />
<ul></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Time Taken</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">1.5 hours</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-weight: 800;">General Idea</span></div></div></b></div></div><b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">The ornament portion of the card is made by overlaying strips of paper to create a 3-D look. A piece of thick paper, with the shape of an ornament cut out of it has been glued over these overlaying strips. This tutorial is good for understanding how iris folding works, and for looking at how your card develops from the front. After writing this tutorial, I found some templates on the internet that I could use to make the process easier, by working on the underside of the frame, building the iris backwards. See <a href="http://myknottythoughts.blogspot.com/2010/02/tutorial-10-junk-mail-valentine.html">Tutorial 10</a> for free instructions on using the template.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: 800;"> </span><br />
<b>Instructions</b><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 1) Fold the large sheet of thick paper into half. If the paper is too large for the card, cut it to an appropriate size. I cut mine to 6.2" by 4.5" before folding.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYJsx2nvXI/AAAAAAAAADY/Qt0WiuutacQ/s1600-h/P2150002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYJsx2nvXI/AAAAAAAAADY/Qt0WiuutacQ/s320/P2150002.JPG" /></a></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 2) Cut a</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> piece of thick paper (I used the same cover stock) to the same size as the front of the card (i.e. half the size of the paper in Step 1).</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 3) Trace a circle onto the paper from Step 2. I will call this paper the frame. Draw a little rectangle at the top of the circle. Cut the circle and rectangle out so you have the shape of an ornament on the frame. It was too difficult to get my scissors around the corners of the rectangle so I didn't actually cut the whole rectangle out. I simply folded the rectangle to the back of the frame.</span></span><br />
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<b><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYbsbSVR8I/AAAAAAAAAEg/lPFcORaCi-U/s1600-h/P2150010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYbsbSVR8I/AAAAAAAAAEg/lPFcORaCi-U/s320/P2150010.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 4) Lay the frame over the front of the card and locate the center of the circle. Lightly mark this center on the front of the card, with a pencil. This will be the center of the ornament.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 5) Cut several colorful pieces out of the catalog. These pieces will be used for the colored portions of the ornament shown in the completed card above. The number of pieces you cut will depend on their size. you can always cut more later if you need more.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYLH0hbOqI/AAAAAAAAADg/YSDCxdn65LQ/s1600-h/P2150003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYLH0hbOqI/AAAAAAAAADg/YSDCxdn65LQ/s320/P2150003.JPG" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 6) Select a piece of colored paper and cut it into 4 strips, each 1 inch by 2 inches. You may tear the pieces instead of using scissors.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 7) Fold the raw edge of each of the strips under. Form a square with these folded edges; Tape each strip to the card so that the INSIDE of the strips form a square. Place the tape on the OUTSIDE edge of each folded strip so that the tape will not be seen. The center marked in Step 4 is the center of the square.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYWGv4tjCI/AAAAAAAAAD4/xBeZYC3W3xA/s1600-h/P2150004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYWGv4tjCI/AAAAAAAAAD4/xBeZYC3W3xA/s320/P2150004.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 8) Cut 4 strips from the leftover cover stock. Tape these strips around those from Step 5, so the INSIDE edges form a square. As in Step 5, tape on the outside edge of the strips. Note that this square is bigger than the one in Step 5, and is has been rotated.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYXBSBgguI/AAAAAAAAAEA/xUhayPhM4Uw/s1600-h/P2150005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYXBSBgguI/AAAAAAAAAEA/xUhayPhM4Uw/s320/P2150005.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 9) Cut 4 more colorful strips. Repeat the process of forming a square with the INSIDE edges of the 4 strips. Note that each square is bigger and is rotated just a bit. You can use a ruler to help make sure the square isn't a trapezoid. I made mine without the use of a ruler. I just eyeballed the squares.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">NOTE: Before taping junk mail, fold one long raw edge under first so the square you form will look neater.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYYBGJlpCI/AAAAAAAAAEI/4DmAtWsqVp8/s1600-h/P2150006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYYBGJlpCI/AAAAAAAAAEI/4DmAtWsqVp8/s320/P2150006.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYYTZifxbI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/mfla7XaaSC8/s1600-h/P2150007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYYTZifxbI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/mfla7XaaSC8/s320/P2150007.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYYa17cuAI/AAAAAAAAAEY/KP6ZHUXYL4g/s1600-h/P2150008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYYa17cuAI/AAAAAAAAAEY/KP6ZHUXYL4g/s320/P2150008.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 10) Alternate using junk mail to form a square, and leftover cover stock to form a square. Altogether, I formed 4 squares with junk mail and 3 squares with leftover cover stock. </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 11) Place the frame over the front of the card so that the ornament looks centered, and no tape is showing. This step is done just to make sure everything looks alright so far.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYc3Q2sIvI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZSywehaJCCU/s1600-h/P2150011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYc3Q2sIvI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZSywehaJCCU/s320/P2150011.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 12) Cut 3 pieces of colorful paper, preferably in a color that stands out from the rest of the ornament. These will be used to fill in the rectangular ornament holder. </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 13) Fold these 3 pieces into squares and overlap them so that the bottom edge looks like a zigzag.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYd6XsD7kI/AAAAAAAAAEw/ZLRQStrZj6g/s1600-h/P2150014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYd6XsD7kI/AAAAAAAAAEw/ZLRQStrZj6g/s320/P2150014.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 14) Tape these 3 pieces to the back of the frame so the zigzag shows through the rectangular portion. If the front doesn't look good, you can always remove the tape and reposition the squares.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYf2a6ZXiI/AAAAAAAAAFI/h38UuilzjYA/s1600-h/P2150016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYf2a6ZXiI/AAAAAAAAAFI/h38UuilzjYA/s320/P2150016.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYf-nlTSMI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/crdJkEkwJH4/s1600-h/P2150015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYf-nlTSMI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/crdJkEkwJH4/s320/P2150015.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 15) Tuck a piece of string into the upper 2 corners of the rectangle that was cut out. Tape the ends of the string to the back of the frame.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 16) Glue the frame to the front of the card. Outline the cut out part of the frame with a color pencil for a bolder effect. I used a blue color pencil for my outline.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYgNhR6EgI/AAAAAAAAAFY/ARdj8aFfrvA/s1600-h/P2150017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SxYgNhR6EgI/AAAAAAAAAFY/ARdj8aFfrvA/s320/P2150017.JPG" /></a></div></div></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-1177202208394259582009-11-29T17:02:00.000-08:002010-02-05T00:11:31.068-08:00How does Poo Clean Hair?<span style="font-family: inherit;">I used to have a book called "Why, What, Where", which provided explanations to everyday questions, like "How Does Soap Work?" It was a book for children, and the answers were simplified. I remember that it stated soap pulls dirt out while water pushed dirt out, and that soap is made of things that we might consider dirty, like fats and ash. </span><br />
<div><br />
</div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>Bubbles (or suds) in soap do not actually help clean. Their purpose is to increase the surface area that the cleaning agent comes in contact with. Bleach cleans well, but has no suds. There is also an industry standard of dirt, appropriately dubbed "industrial dirt", with which detergents are tested for validity. Here is where my knowledge of how soap/detergent/shampoo cleans. I decided to do more research into the <a href="http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingswork/f/detergentfaq.htm">the chemistry behind soap</a>:</div><div><div><div><div><blockquote>Soap cleans by acting as an emulsifier. Basically, soap allows oil and water to mix so that oily grime can be removed during rinsing.</blockquote><blockquote>Swishing the soapy water around allows the soap or detergent to pull the grime away from clothes or dishes and into the larger pool of rinse water. Rinsing washes the detergent and soil away. Warm or hot water melts fats and oils so that it is easier for the soap or detergent to dissolve the soil and pull it away into the rinse water.</blockquote>Shampoo works in a manner similar to that of soap and detergent, except that shampoo will not leave soap scum. But what if I only want to remove the grime, and keep the oils? Well, that's why I am washing my hair with baking soda rather than with shampoo.<br />
<br />
I've read that, to keep hair shiny, I should wash my hair in cold water. This makes sense as warm or hot water melts the natural oils in my hair. These oils give my hair a gleam. I would like to keep most of these oils and only be rid of the dirt. Possibly, by regulating the temperature of the water I am using to wash my hair, I could change the greasiness of my hair. During the initial days of my no-poo treatment, I could use hotter water to rinse my hair, and, as my scalp gets used to getting no poo, I could decrease the temperature of the water.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">References</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">: </span></div><div>http://chemistry.about.com/od/cleanerchemistry/a/how-soap-cleans.htm</div><div>http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Does-Soap-Clean?&id=629717<br />
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4698309_shampoo-clean-hair.html</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-18261261628892687442009-11-27T00:37:00.000-08:002010-02-05T00:11:07.735-08:00A no-poo experimentI read about washing my hair with a baking soda solution and rinsing with vinegar solution, and doing away with shampoo entirely. I decided to give it a try. I have been experimenting with this now for about 8 weeks. Here is a summary of my before-and-after experiences.<br />
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In the months before starting the experiment, my hair would start feeling greasy about 20 hours after being shampooed and conditioned. It's not just my hair that started feeling greasy around then, but also the areas of my face near my hairline, namely my forehead, cheeks, and chin. My hair would be tangled after shampooing/conditioning, and would be difficult to comb. I lost a lot of hair while combing. The purpose of the hair conditioner is to put artificial oils into my hair, that's why it's easier to comb conditioned hair; however, either my hair conditioner didn't work well, or I was using too little.<br />
<div><br />
</div>After reading a few blogs and articles regarding shampoo, I have come to the conclusion that shampoo strips the natural oils from my scalp, and my scalp is trying to replenish those oils. Perhaps the shampoo also touched my face, and so my face, too, is trying to replenish those stripped oils. <br />
<br />
The articles I read suggest using a baking soda solution for washing hair instead of shampoo, and an apple cider vinegar solution as a rinse. I did not have any apple cider vinegar so I used rice vinegar instead. Apple cider vinegar has 3-5% acidity. The rice vinegar I used had 4.1% acidity.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients</span><br />
1 tablespoon of baking soda<br />
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar<br />
2 cups of warm water<br />
<br />
<b>Instructions</b><br />
1) Mix baking soda with 1 cup of warm water.<br />
2) Mix vinegar with 1 cup of warm water.<br />
3) Wet hair thoroughly.<br />
4) Slowly pour baking soda solution onto hair, rubbing it into the scalp. Keep eyes closed. This took about 1 minute.<br />
5) Let stand for 3 minutes, during which time I cleaned the rest of myself.<br />
6) Slowly pour vinegar solution onto hair, rubbing it into the scalp. Keep eyes closed. This took about 1 minute.<br />
7) Rinse.<br />
<br />
<br />
My hair was easy to comb after washing with baking soda, even though I did not use any hair conditioner. This was to be expected since I did not use any shampoo to strip the natural oils out of my hair. Hence, I lost less hair. Washing with baking soda solution and rinsing with vinegar solution is more inconvenient than using shampoo and conditioner, primarily since I mix the baking soda and vinegar before each treatment, whereas the shampoo and conditioner are already in bottles ready for my use. It would not be convenient for me to premix the baking soda solution and store it in a bottle for later use unless I were willing to use the baking soda solution cold.<br />
<br />
The first 3 weeks of the no-poo experiment were the hardest. My hair felt greasy and even waxy. My scalp itched. The baking soda did not remove the oils that my scalp was producing. Once a week, the waxiness became too much to bear and I would use shampoo.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">By the 4th week of the no-poo experiment, my scalp seemed to be adjusting much better to the absence of shampoo. The waxiness waned and I felt less discomfort. I continued to shampoo my hair once a week, using less shampoo each time. Slowly, my scalp is adjusting. A few hours after my weekly shampoo is when my hair feels its best--it feels like baby's hair, soft and fluffy. As the week wears on, my hair feels greasier.</div><div><br />
Ultimately, by weaning myself of shampoo and conditioner, I hope to have baby soft hair more permanently.<br />
<br />
</div><b>References</b><br />
http://www.natural-forces.com/essays/poofree.htm<br />
http://heidiandseek.blogspot.com/2009/05/shampoo-not-best-way-to-clean-hair-how.html<br />
http://www.naturemoms.com/no-shampoo-alternative.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-58652681018268943262009-11-05T16:54:00.000-08:002010-02-04T22:55:18.741-08:00Tutorial 1--Junk Mail BasketI get far too much junk mail. I used to think that if I put a piece of junk mail into the recycling bin, it would get recycled into a brand new piece of junk mail. Since then, I've learned that this is not true. Only about 60% of, say, newsprint, can actually be turned into new newsprint. The other 40% really does become junk. I don't have the numbers for glossy paper from catalogs.<br />
<br />
I was looking for something in which to store my little odds and ends like my staple, paper clips, etc, and decided to make an eco-friendly basket out of junk mail. I used a catalog that I didn't want.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvNzoaJIoxI/AAAAAAAAAB4/n88qTj8qnEw/s1600-h/P1210031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvNzoaJIoxI/AAAAAAAAAB4/n88qTj8qnEw/s200/P1210031.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<b>Tutorial</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;">Making a Basket out of Junk Mail</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Materials</span><br />
Unwanted catalog or magazine<br />
Scissors<br />
Optional--stapler, tape, or glue<br />
<br />
<b>Time to Make</b><br />
2 hours<br />
<br />
<b>Instructions</b><br />
Step 1) Dig a catalog or magazine out of your wastebasket. The one I dug up was 8 inches by 10.5 inches. It doesn't really matter how big the catalog is if you are not picky about the size of the basket.<br />
<br />
Step 2) Tear 9 pages of similar thickness and size from the catalog. <br />
<br />
Step 3) Tear each of the 9 pages into half lengthwise. It's not necessary to use scissors. Just crease and tear.<br />
<br />
Step 4) Fold up half an inch along the length of one strip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvN4Upr_FuI/AAAAAAAAACI/KKSu9T1SWyU/s1600-h/Snapshot+2009-11-05+17-10-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvN4Upr_FuI/AAAAAAAAACI/KKSu9T1SWyU/s320/Snapshot+2009-11-05+17-10-56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Step 5) Continue folding up half an inch lengthwise until you have a strip that is about half an inch by 10.5 inches (or whatever the length of your catalog was).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Step 6) Unfold two of the last folds you made. Refold along the creases you've already made in Step 4, starting from the opposite edge. The purpose is to hide the raw edges of the catalog within the strip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvN6V-PKbAI/AAAAAAAAACY/1I72N2Uh3DU/s1600-h/Baseket+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvN6V-PKbAI/AAAAAAAAACY/1I72N2Uh3DU/s320/Baseket+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Step 7) Repeat Steps 4 to 6 for each of the remaining strips.<br />
<br />
Step 8) Place 6 of the strips vertically. This will be the beginning of the base of the basket.<br />
<br />
Step 9) Weave 6 strips horizontally, going up and down the vertical strips. Leave small gaps (about 1/8th of an inch) between the vertical strips. Likewise, leave the small gaps between the horizontal strips. The gaps will make weaving easier. After you have woven about 3 of the horizontal strips, the strips will no longer come apart as easily. See, no hands in the following picture. The bottom of the basket is done.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvN5IT_54bI/AAAAAAAAACQ/CXyGLhbJHNE/s1600-h/P1210017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvN5IT_54bI/AAAAAAAAACQ/CXyGLhbJHNE/s200/P1210017.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Step 10) Now we will start forming the sides of the basket. Fold each of the 12 strips upright where the square base ends. This results in each strip having 2 folds. By using your hands to hold the strips upright, you can see roughly what the basket will look like when complete. <br />
<br />
Tip: Place a ruler along one edge of the square base and fold the 6 strips that are along the base, using the ruler as a guide.<br />
<br />
Step 11) Now pick 2 of the unused strips. Each row of the sides will be formed with 2 strips. Fold 2 strips as shown. The placement of the folds coincide with the length of each side of the square base. Note that the 2 strips have been folded in such a way that they share 2 corners. This will lock the square in place so it doesn't come apart.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvN_yKfP-vI/AAAAAAAAACg/7GX8QhQbBpc/s1600-h/P1210032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvN_yKfP-vI/AAAAAAAAACg/7GX8QhQbBpc/s200/P1210032.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Step 12) Place the overlapping part of one strip inside the other so that you get a square. If your catalog was too short to allow 2 corners to overlap, then you can either use more strips to form the sides or use staples, tape or glue.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvOA6HSHi_I/AAAAAAAAACo/D__365kGBTM/s1600-h/P1210033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvOA6HSHi_I/AAAAAAAAACo/D__365kGBTM/s200/P1210033.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tip: If your catalog was too short to allow 2 corners to overlap, then you can either use more strips to form the sides, or use staples, tape or glue to prevent the square from coming apart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step 13) Weave the strips sticking out of the base (from Step 9) over and under this square.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step 14) Repeat Steps 11 to 13.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step 15) Repeat Steps 11 and 12. This strip will form the top edge of the basket (I'll call this strip the top square). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step 16) The strips from the base will be sticking up above the top edge. Fold each strip over the top square. Tuck each of those strips under the top square. If the strip is too long to tuck neatly, trim the strip first. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tip: Do Step 16 for the overlapping corners (from step 12) last.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvOG1IpoVDI/AAAAAAAAAC4/-9gAShnbM7s/s1600-h/P1210030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SvOG1IpoVDI/AAAAAAAAAC4/-9gAShnbM7s/s200/P1210030.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-25563948270319476832009-10-28T00:26:00.000-07:002010-02-05T00:09:08.669-08:00No more cross-stitchI have finally sold my cross-stitch fabric on ebay--2 pounds worth. I haven't cross-stitched in several years since it takes such a toll on my eyes. The cross-stitch pattern books and cross bars were the first to go (to the Salvation Army), followed by most of my DMC floss (see the blanket I made in my second blog post). Now, even the cross-stitch fabric is gone. I only have a few incomplete skeins of floss, the cross-stitch organizer boxes, and floss card holders left. I was planning on giving the floss card holders to the person who had purchased my cross-stitch fabric, but that would have increased the shipping cost quite a bit, so I decided not to do so. I'll have to think of something I can do with them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-91583156618120994032009-10-25T01:09:00.000-07:002010-02-05T00:08:47.733-08:00Macrame and Crocheting in one project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After reading what one person said he/she wanted as a gift for a 4-year-old girl, I decided to make what I thought would be a good gift for that girl. I crocheted a little red bag with a shell design, which had holes in between the shells so you could see what was in the bag, just in case the child was carrying something she shouldn't be (I know how kids can have sticky fingers sometimes). I macramed 2 stars in bright girlie colors, since the child liked those types of colors. I stitched the stars onto the bag. I left tassels on the ends of the stars for her to play with, so they look like shooting stars. It can be used as a wristlet in case she is prone to losing things that aren't tied to her. It's meant as a keepsake, and can be used to hold her iPhone when she is older, although by then, we could have iPhones implanted directly into our brains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I enjoyed making the bag and thinking of what the child might like. My only regret is that I didn't have many colors of crochet thread to work with, so my choices were limited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SuQGudvFnrI/AAAAAAAAABY/gTsF2oai49Q/s1600-h/P1080003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SuQGudvFnrI/AAAAAAAAABY/gTsF2oai49Q/s320/P1080003.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SuQHXGxjTVI/AAAAAAAAABg/uO5j-1dIVck/s1600-h/P1080001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SuQHXGxjTVI/AAAAAAAAABg/uO5j-1dIVck/s320/P1080001.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Materials used: crochet thread, knotting cord, glue</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Time taken to make: 6 hours</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-73739705688393018392009-10-22T02:50:00.000-07:002010-02-04T23:05:59.080-08:00Micro Macrame Goldfish Earrings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SuUY-B-TRMI/AAAAAAAAABo/DhBZeQ_GjVg/s1600-h/P1010013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SuUY-B-TRMI/AAAAAAAAABo/DhBZeQ_GjVg/s200/P1010013.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SuAqM3-yFXI/AAAAAAAAABA/DcXuDdXyJkc/s1600-h/P1010014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/SuAqM3-yFXI/AAAAAAAAABA/DcXuDdXyJkc/s200/P1010014.JPG" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made these earrings out of 1mm synthetic cord. They are 3-D goldfish. Most of the macrame jewelry I have seen are in 2-D. I used 6 mm black crystal beads for the eyes. I like how the goldfish are posing for the camera in the second picture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Materials used: Knotting cord, crystal beads, blue</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Time taken to make: 3.5 hours</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-45551965105070818862009-10-21T01:34:00.000-07:002010-02-06T18:51:44.462-08:00The History of Knotting<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Knotting has existed for centuries. Stone blades would be tied to wooden handles with knots to form axes in prehistoric times. Rope ladders were made with knots. Some knots were meant to be functional, others to beautify. Knots existed in many different cultures. Here are a few interesting excerpts about the history of knotting, which I found on the internet.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span></span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In 1867 after observing </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial;" title="Scotland"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Scottish</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physicist" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial;" title="Physicist"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">physicist</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Guthrie_Tait" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial;" title="Peter Guthrie Tait"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Peter Tait</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">'s experiments involving smoke rings, Thomson came to the idea that atoms were knots of swirling vortices in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminiferous_aether" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial;" title="Luminiferous aether"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">æther</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. Chemical elements would thus correspond to knots and links. Tait's experiments were inspired by a paper of Helmholtz's on vortex-rings in incompressible fluids. Thomson and Tait believed that an understanding and classification of all possible knots would explain why atoms </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectroscopy" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial;" title="Spectroscopy"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">absorb and emit</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> light at only the discrete </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wavelength" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial;" title="Wavelength"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">wavelengths</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> that they do. For example, Thomson thought that sodium could be the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopf_link" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial;" title="Hopf link"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hopf link</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> due to its two lines of spectra. (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_knot_theory#CITEREFSossinsky2002" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sossinsky 2002</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, p. 3–10) </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_knot_theory"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The History of Knot Theory</span></a></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A resent study has found that man is not the only specie to tie knots, that gorillas use them to hold creepers and saplings down in their nests. In one nest two dozen knots were counted, most were grannies but some were square knots. There is a bird that ties knots to fasten their nest. There are still primitive races who fasten their huts, traps and even clothing with knots. </span><a href="http://www.knotpro.com/history.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">KnotPro</span></a></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-79939168526521373172009-10-20T03:06:00.000-07:002010-02-05T00:08:02.572-08:00Crocheting a Gift<div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I learned to crochet when I was about 10. I recall making a brown granny squares bag as one of my first projects, as well as worm-like bookmarks. Where did they go?<br />
<br />
I still enjoy crocheting, and still like granny squares. Here are pictures of a more recent project of mine, which was given away as a gift about a month ago. The multi-colored portion consists of granny squares made from cross-stitch DMC floss. I don't cross-stitch anymore since my eyesight is not as good as it used to be, so I used the floss for this project. My initial plans were to make a baby blanket, but the granny squares turned out to be, in my opinion, too heavy for a baby blanket, so I decided to assimilate the granny squares into a blanket large enough for a twin bed by sewing a blue border and tassels around the granny squares.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div><br />
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</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/St2LoB4_okI/AAAAAAAAAAU/HxQzUKuSAAM/s1600-h/Untitled2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/St2LoB4_okI/AAAAAAAAAAU/HxQzUKuSAAM/s320/Untitled2.png" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/St2OYeCrktI/AAAAAAAAAAc/G0MFHfsX0X0/s1600-h/Untitled1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hom2YJQgqWI/St2OYeCrktI/AAAAAAAAAAc/G0MFHfsX0X0/s320/Untitled1.png" /></a></div><br />
<b>Some computations:</b><br />
I used 2 skeins (of different colors) of floss per granny square, and was able to make every square in a unique color combination. There are 15 X 15 squares (i.e. 225 squares), so a total of 450 skeins of DMC floss was used. In order to make 225 different squares by choosing a combination of 2 colors per square, I would need only 22 unique colors of floss:<br />
<br />
Combination(22, 2) = 231 > 225<br />
<br />
I am very sure I had far more than 22 different colors of floss, and made an effort not to duplicate color combinations.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Materials used:</div><div class="MsoNormal">1) 2 skeins of cross-stitch DMC floss per granny square. Each square is about 2.75" X 2.75" (7cm x 7cm). Total of 15 x 15 squares.</div><div class="MsoNormal">2)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>knitted fabric for (blue) border</div><div class="MsoNormal">3) blue bedsheet for backing</div><div class="MsoNormal">4) white, pre-made tassels</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Time taken: 4 months</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Size: 5' X 6' (1.5m x 1.8m)<br />
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Tip: I found it convenient to connect the granny squares in a diagonal manner:<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856373798568334449.post-51253176863003480842009-10-18T17:45:00.001-07:002010-02-05T00:07:27.570-08:00My First PostThis is my very first post on my very first blog. I'm planning on posting my thoughts about my crafting projects here. This way, I can have a crafts portfolio to flip through when I'm old and have arthritis or can't see well enough to make anything. It is possible though, that when that time arrives, I won't be able to see well enough to read my own blog. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0