4 August, 2008


If you’re haven’t changed your bookmark to link to my new site at http://myhalfofthebrain.com/, you’ve missed out on how to make–
- a party garland
- bookmarks
- furniture graffiti
- rolled roses
- fabric vase covers
- obama embroidery (and hillary and mccain, too)
- and how to get in on a fabric giveaway just by signing for a mailing list.
The longer you wait, the more you’ll miss! Please change your bookmarks or feedreader to link to http://myhalfofthebrain.com/ or http://myhalfofthebrain.com/feed/.
Posted in * TUTORIALS | Leave a Comment »
29 July, 2008
Visit my blog at its new location: http://myhalfofthebrain.com to learn where you can get in on regular free fabric giveaways just by signing up on a mailing list.
Posted in * TUTORIALS, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
28 July, 2008
oops. temporarily down while i figure out how i screwed up.
I’ve got my own domain now. You can find me at http://myhalfofthebrain.com. Please pardon my dust as I learn how to get around my new blog and try out various themes. See you there! Melissa
Posted in * TUTORIALS, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
19 July, 2008
When I look at my blog stats, one referrer is almost always near or at the top of the list. Suzical maintains the amazing BIG LIST of SEWING BLOGS, and it must get tons and tons of traffic, because a small but not insignificant portion of it is coming my way. Thanks for maintaining the list, Suzi, and for having me on it.
By the way, in addition to THE LIST, Suzi herself has a blog, and a tutorial for an iPod cozy—it’s a super easy and well photographed tutorial, that could be easily adapted to other electronics.
Thanks again, Suzi, for all the new readers you bring my way.
Posted in * TUTORIALS, * they like me!, cozies | 3 Comments »
14 July, 2008
Frances Trombly, Craft Goddess, is my new hero! Click on a thumbnail to go to a full size image on her site.

Garbage Bags, 2008
Hand-woven fabric, mixed media
10 X 26 X 23 inches, 21 X 30 X 16 inches

Boxes (West Side Movers and Paper Mart), 2008
Hand woven fabric, embroidery, packing tape
Dimensions variable

Garden Hose, 2007
Crocheted cotton and metal hook
32 linear ft

Extension Cord, 2007
Crocheted cotton
50 linear ft

Jo-Ann, 2007
Hand-embroidery on fabric
10 x 3 inches

Fallen, 2006
Hand-woven, hand-dyed silk and cotton fabric
350 linear feet, 12 x 18 inch pennants
Dimensions variable

Blue, 2006
Crocheted cotton
Light blue balloon, 12″ dia.
Dark blue balloon, 15″ dia.

Nine Deflated Balloons, 2006
Crocheted cotton
Dimensions variable

Confetti, 2005
Hand crocheted cotton
Dimensions variable
967 pieces

Plywood, 2004
Cross-stitched fabric
14 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches

Toilet Paper, 2003
Hand-embroidery on fabric
Dimensions variable

Paper Corner, 2002
Hand-woven fabric
Dimensions variable
Each sheet 8 1⁄2 x 11 inches
50 sheets

All Purpose Tarp, 2008
Hand-woven polypropylene fiber, pedestals
Tarp dimensions: 110 X 45 inches
Dimensions variable

Mop, 2008
Hand spun silver wool and cotton, wooden mop handle
52 X 14 X 13 inches
Posted in embroidery, frances trombly, knit/crochet, weaving | 1 Comment »
14 July, 2008

Post: Receipt
Main Site: Frances Trombly
Artist/Author: Frances Trombly
Registration Required?: No
Free?: not a tutorial, I just have it here for your embroidorial stupefication (of course I made those words up, silly)
Via: Craft, via Creativadoration
Other: are you kidding me? this is freaking amazing!!!
Posted in * i wish i made it!, embroidery, frances trombly | 3 Comments »
8 July, 2008

Post: My own guitar bag!
Main Site: bored and crafty
Artist/Author: Meream
Registration Required?: No
Free?: Yes
Via:
Other: some other really cool tutorials at her site:
Posted in * TUTORIALS, bag, pattern, sewing | Leave a Comment »
7 July, 2008

Post: definitely don’t do it like in this post
Main Site: Finny Knits is the blog written by the person who did it all wrong
Artist/Author: don’t screw it up like Finnyknits did
Registration Required?: No
Free?: Yes, unless you count the first ruined cake stand
Via:
Other: even her aunt knew she didn’t get it right the first time
Posted in * TUTORIALS | Leave a Comment »
2 July, 2008


Post: The Pearl Rucksake[sic]
Main Site: Tissuepapers
Artist/Author: Tissuepaper
Registration Required?: No
Free?: Yes
Via:
Other:
- in my next life, I want to be the woman in these pictures – is this YOU tissuepaper?
- this is really a fabulous pattern and I can’t wait to make it. I have some wonderful yardage of dupioni silk in turquoise and purple. I think I’ll have to make a muslin first, and see if I can make the bag entirely reversible. I wonder how long I need to make the handle if I want it to go over my shoulder and across my chest?
Posted in * TUTORIALS, bag, pattern, purse, sewing | 2 Comments »
28 June, 2008
From Crafting in a Green World, Skye Kilaen writes about Recycled Felt (and More) from Hart’s Fabric:
“…
EcoSpun felt is made from post-consumer recycled PET plastic bottles. It’s sold in a 72″ width for $5.99 a yard with a minimum order of one yard.
PET, in case you were wondering, is polyethylene terephthalate. PET is the plastic used to make #1 bottles. There are issues with plastic recycling, and I’d rather see fewer plastic bottles made and used in the first place, but since they exist I’m glad there are some options for using them to make new products.
Here are the color choices for EcoSpun felt: blue, yellow, gold, orange, baby pink, shocking pink, fuschia, red, ruby, baby blue, cadet blue, royal blue, navy, grape, orchid, purple, apple green, pirate green, kelly green, white, antique white, cashmere tan, cocoa brown, silver grey, charcoal, and black.
…
They also carry organic cotton and organic cotton blends (woven, stretch jersey knit, fleece, several lovely colors of canvas, and terry), hemp and hemp blends in some nice warm colors, and eco-friendly pillow forms and batting.”
Crafting a Green World is a new-to-me site that will go straight into my feed reader, and Hart’s Fabric will go right to my favorites. Hooray for wonderful new sites!
Posted in fabric, felt, green | Leave a Comment »
28 June, 2008

Post: Lifting the tone…
Main Site: Craftapalooza
Artist/Author: Craftapalooza
Registration Required?: No
Free?: Yes
Via:
Other: Thanks, Craftapalooza for all the linky love!
Posted in * TUTORIALS, cozies, pattern, sewing | Leave a Comment »