Being Human Premiere

Oh snap....I just caught the new show Being Human .  I liked it....!  So I have another show to add to my playlist, and yet another show to CRAFT about. Yea Me!

If you missed it please tune in to Syfy...on Mondays from 8/9pm check your listings.  Post here let me know what you think.

Be My Vampire Valentine

Handmade is the way to go when shopping for your Valentine.

**note to my hubby who never reads my blog...yes any of these items are great for me....I really want the Vervain Handmade Soap and any of the necklaces from Umbrella Laboratory***

For the rest of you here you go my handpicked items the vampire fan in your life. Don't be afraid  to purchase your own Valentine's Day gift as well.  Treat yourself!
Let me know what you think, if you have any suggestions or if your purchase anything let me know.  I don't get anything for posting this suggestion list but it is nice to know all of my searching helped someone.

Let the shop owner know you were referred by me

Steampunk DARK Spirited... UmbrellaLabora... $24.99	Steampunk DARK Spirited... UmbrellaLabora... $19.99	Steampunk BIG HEART Nec... UmbrellaLabora... $19.99
Vampire Survival Soap -... thepinksink $4.99	Vampire Survival Soap -... thepinksink $4.99	Werewolf Survival Soap thepinksink $4.99
Vampire Survival Soap -... thepinksink $4.99	Vampire Survival Soap -... thepinksink $3.99	Alice Cullen - Twilight... thepinksink $4.99
TWILIGHT INSPIRED sugar... CookieMamas $20.00	Twilight Fondant Cupcak... GoodiesByMelis... $9.75	Twilight Fondant Cupcak... GoodiesByMelis... $9.50
TRUE BLOOD - RIP Talbot... gotdecalz $7.99	TRUE BLOOD - Fangtasia ... gotdecalz $7.99	FANGS RULE - Vinyl Deca... gotdecalz $7.99

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com.

UpCycled T-Shirt Yarn

When it comes to crochet I am not the best.  I can crochet but I was not good at following patterns.  I wish I could knit.  I have seen a few articles on folks UPCYLING old clothing, and that gave me tons of ideas for future posts.

I read a several posts and watched lots of videos on how to make this yarn.  Folks really made it super complicated.  Before you try this on a "Good" shirt use a shirt that doesn't mean as much first.

Also be aware that going to the Goodwill or thrift store could be quite expensive.  I found this shirt for $99.  The amount of yarn I was able to get was a half of what I would get from yarn purchased at the store.

Be sure that the shirt looks the same both sides of the fabric.   You also cannot have a shirt with seams on the sides.  Here are some ideas to obtain shirts to recycle.
Your closet.
Ladies who make tshirt quilts. (they never use the bottoms)
Garage sales/Yard Sales
Screen Printers (dud shirts that were mistakes)

Materials you will need:
Tshirt
Scissors

Here is my shirt...size Large....See how it looks the same on both sides.

Here are my instructions.
1.  Cut the seam off of the bottom of your shirt.
2.  Using the ironing board slide your shirt over it and star to cut .5 inch to .75 inch strips the goal is to cut the tshirt into on long spirl stip of material.  BE AS CONSISTANT AS YOU CAN.  I took my time...and It didn't take that long.  My husband used this method...
3.  Beginning at one end of the t-shirt strips start stretching the the t-shirt  see the difference in what I created.  in the photo below.  Pull hard enough to stretch but not hard enough to rip it.

I am glad I choose the size of strip that I did if the strip was any smaller when I stretched it out...it would have broke easily which isn't good when you start knitting or crocheting with it.

If you make this project or post your yarn ball project on your blog....I want to check it out.  Post a link in comments or post your projects to our Flicker Account.

My husband was so intrigued by this project he even made his own ball of yarn.  I figure If I can get my husband likes this project...it must be a winner.

Click here to see my T-shirt yarn projects.

Love the idea of this...but not sure you want to do all of the work...there are lots of etsy sellers that sell tshirt yarn.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/greenatheart?ref=pr_shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tyarns?ref=pr_shop

Matchbook Ghirardelli Chocolate Paper-Craft

I am not a BIG fan of Valentines Day.  It is all kind of cheesy to me.

I do love Chocolate.  Ghirardelli chocolate is my favorite.  I think is so sweet when my friends hand make gifts for me but the fun thing about this craft is it can be easily modified for any occasion.  Ghirardelli has so many different chocolates...You can have so much fun playing with the names and your occasion.  This is an awesome idea for your kids class, a group of friends, or as party favors.

Supplies you will need:
Scrapbook paper
Cardstock
Stapler (or I used a brad to hold it in place)
glue stick or adhesive of your choice.
Ghirardelli Chocolate squares.  (Raspberry filled is awesome for Vampire Theme)

Here is the pattern  I did everything but the inside piece.  I figured most folks are going to put it in the trash...and the Ghirardelli square is pretty firm.  It looks good without the inside piece.

I want to see your projects...Post them in our flicker group or as a link in the comment section.

There are lots of diffrent crafts out there.  Here are a few I considered.
http://thestampcamp.com/blog/12/23/ghirardelli-holder/ This was cool but I didn't have the punches needed.
http://becreative.cornishheritagefarms.com/?p=1678 this one is cool but more traditional than I wanted.
http://artisticavenger.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/tag-a-longs-instructions/

I was exhausted looking at all of the patterns.  If you see any....send them my way...