It Is Good To Have Friends, Is It Not, Mr. Garibaldi?

I'd apologize for the gratuitous geek reference of the title but, let's face it: I'm not sorry at all!

Skelekitty & Skelemouse art quilt
©2007 Krissi Sandvik

Those of you who have been hanging around in the same circles I have for the past 6 or 7 years will remember that I started my "art career" as a hobbyist quilter in 2004 or so. That addiction quickly turned to art quilts in 2005 (which led to the very first Skelekitty image in 2007).

I have since changed my preferred medium to pyrography & acrylic on wood paintings, but in between there was a quick stop at fabric painting.








A a few months ago my friend, seamstress and bag designer extraordinaire, Brooke Heavey of Brooke Van Gory Designs told me she had a customer looking for something special for a diaper bag.
Her customer wanted a purple and green "tree of life" theme with a hand-painted look, but was having difficulty finding fabrics that she liked.  Since I had some experience with fabric painting, I was happy to create a couple of custom panels for this bag.

silver alcohol-based ink & acrylics
on black cotton 

Then I remembered...  I had a a "black calavera" panel I'd painted back in late 2007.  Not knowing what to do with this weird hybrid creation, promptly rolled it up and stored it away.  I figured now would be a good time to pop it in the mail to Brooke to see what she could make of it.

As usual, she delivered in spades, creating one of her signature "Expedient" bags in black, red and a coordinating sacred heart print with my calavera painting front and center as a HUGE pocket.

Wanna know how MUCH stuff this bag will hold?

Although Brooke is known for high quality custom diaper bags, this would be just about the coolest laptop bag, like... EVER.  It would also make an amazing gift for any traveler, college student, mom (or dad!). It would even be a perfect substitute for a DIY business owner who needs a briefcase but wants to make a statement that says "I buy handmade."

With that winter gift-giving season coming up faster than you think, you guys won't want to wait on this one.  While Brooke and I will certainly continue to create collaborative items, this bag will never be duplicated and Brooke's schedule is pretty packed through the new year.  Don't try getting a custom bag made in November.  It won't happen.

Oh, and did I mention that I'm tossing in a free 1" glass tile and resin art pendant with the matching design? 'Cause I am.

 And shipping's included.

Try getting something this bad-ass for under $100 at the mall ... go on, I dare ya.

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Swag From A Cross-Dressing Cat

I just opened a mail package from my pal Amy of Oblinaknit to find the  super cool hot pink custom "Zip It" and "Wristlet" I ordered!  When the sun comes back up tomorrow I'll take some snaps of the inside - I love the linings in both pieces, but the bees inside the wristlet are to DIE for!



She also sent along some cool swag, including:

• a REALLY cute heart shaped white & pink keychain (is that perfect timing or what, 'cause I picked up what is going to become the Skelekitty-mobile today!). 
• some FREAKIN' adorable 1" buttons and oversized postcards of her fabulous cross-dressing, fruity hat-wearing kitty, Ken.  

I'll be taking the pins (minus one for my denim jacket, of course) and the post cards with me to give away on the Crafty Chica Cruise next month.

...

But wait, do you think I give some away here too? (I know you'll say yes, but tell me how I should decide who gets 'em. AND BE FAIR!)

Oh, wait!!!  Before you go off on a commenting rampage asking for one of these super cute kitty diva pins/post cards, did I mention that Amy also makes jewelry as "Oblinaknit Bejeweled?"  Ken swiped these earrings off of her work table and mailed them to me for my birthday last June after I shamelessly drooled over them online.

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Have You Met Chickenpants?

Closeup of the Chickenpants flock
Originally uploaded by absolutely small

NO!? Well you should.

A couple of years back, Claire Chambers of Absolutely Small and I sorta/kinda crossed paths briefly as fellow members of the Sacramento Craft Mafia. Unfortunately, just as I was leaving to focus more on my art gallery shows she was joining, so we didn't get to know each other much ... well, not at all, really.

Luckily though, Sacramento's creative community, while wide-spread, is tightly knit. Everyone seems to be within 0.5 degrees of separation, so I kept up on what Claire was doing through my other crafty friends like Tamie of Roxycraft and Amy of Peptogirl Industries. I also saw her creations showing up at second Saturday art shows in galleries like Side Show Studios and the now defunct Cool Cat Gallery. After a while, I found Claire (or maybe she found me?) on Flickr and I started keeping track more closely of the Chickenpants family.

In May, I accosted her while she was busy working at Maker Faire '09 and subjected her to a photograph (with me hidden safely BEHIND the camera). She said she didn't want her photo taken, but DANG she sure is cute!

So just about the time I though Claire had reached the peak of cuteness, July rolls around and I find out that she is taking part in Stitch Wars (somthing I'd have jumped on had I been paying attention and known about it). Wait. She'd cute AND geeky? Awesome. I posted a link to her Star Wars Chickenpants collection in a Scary CRAFT blog post and decided that this whole Chickenpants family needed a much MUCH closer look.

Yep. As I suspected. More geekery. Check out this video featuring Flight of the Conchords' Foux de Fafa.



Oh, and did I mention she has a pug? If Claire or the Chickenpants family gets any cuter or geekier, I may pop.

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New 2 U #3 - Moon Landing Patches

TRIBUTE, FLASHBACK & MINI-TUTORIAL

This really IS a blast from the past - it's even a post on a sewing project (I suppose I need to change the blog's name from "stitchery" to something more all-encompassing soon).

Art toilet seat by Christian Cinder, encircled by my
custom patches of his design

Custom Rocketship Patches for C!nder
Originally uploaded by Skelekitty (Krissi Sandvik)

Anyway, since today is the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, I thought I'd bring out the custom ROCKET SHIP PATCHES I did for my friend and fellow Scary-Art Collective member, C!nder a couple of years back.

I saw C!nder's painted toilet seats at the September 2007 "Functional Art" themed show at Body Tribe Fitness here in Midtown Sacramento. I really wanted one, but didn't have the scratch for it. I approached him with the idea of trading the seat for some custom-made iron on patches (he'd been nagging me to make some for ages) and he agreed! Oddly enough, he wanted patches of the rocket ship on the very toilet seat I'd chosen.

I gleefully scampered home with my new customized bathroom art and set about working on the patches. Once again using my favorite raw-edge applique method (which you'll want to refer to), I traced the outline of his art onto to some extra fusible medium backing paper I'd saved. Then I created some colorform-esque pieces out of some hand-dyed fabrics. I put the pieces onto a light box and drew on the details using fabric markers and a silver permanent marker (Sharpie or a similar brand of solvent-based ink or even a paint pen). When everything looked good, I assembled the pieces (including a backing piece of muslin to add some heft to the patch) onto a non-stick silicone craft sheet and tacked them in place with a hot iron.

Tracing of Cinder's rocketship on left; "coloform" version on right

patch on hooped water-soluble
stabilizer with stitched outline

Using a piece of extra heavy water soluble embroidery stabilizer (my brand of choice is Sulky Ultra Solvy), I stuck the patch down with just a little spritz of water. After everything dried, I put a narrow satin stitch around the edges.

The pen lines were traced over with some free-motion straight line stitching and some good ol' fashioned hand-embroidered french knots for the bolts.

I then went over the silver pen marks using a free-motion satin stitch with some high sheen light gray rayon thread (optional).

Final patch - BLAST OFF!

Finally, I finished up each patch by adding a layer of heavy fusible medium (for these I used Pellon's Wonder Under Heavy Duty) to the back since he wanted the patches to be iron-on. I saved this step for last so I didn't gum up my needle, than I just trimmed off the excess with a pair of scissors.

Voilá! A patch for him, a patch for his wife and two to give away to friends or whatever (if his kids didn't snatch 'em up first).

I hope you have fun with this little mini-tute and, as always, if you make a project of this, let me know and I'll post your photos on an upcoming blog. AND REMEMBER KIDS, ONLY MAKE PATCHES OF YOUR OWN ART! Never swipe someone else's images (unless, like me, you were asked to do so by the artist).

OK, end of lesson.

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Custom Hot Pants (A Tutorial)

So yeah, Abby is in heat and has to wear "lady pants" for the next couple of weeks. Since I have my own disgust for non-biodegradable 'personal items' (diapers, sanitary pads, etc.), I got her washable doggie pants and inserted a washable pad (you can make them yourself out of flannel) inside them. The pants are very functional, but just didn't have ANY personality.

Not until this morning, anyway:




I'm really sorry I didn't take in-process photos for all of you, but I will divulge every SINGLE technique and product used in an attempt to make up for it.

Supplies: dog in heat, washable doggie panties, decorative fabric, embellishments, fusible medium, scissors, iron
Techniques: Fusing a design to ready-to-wear items is easy and addictive. You'll wonder why you haven't done this to EVERYTHING you wear already.
Directions and details:
I used PUP'sters brand doggie pants (by Simple Solutions) just because that's what was on the shelf at my local pet supply store. Even though Abby measures and weighs as a medium, these are a small and fit her very well. Wash the pants first to remove sizing.

Choose a design or create your own like I did for my custom denim jacket. TIP: create or pick a simple design that will be easy to cut out and not really viney florals or patterns with small thin, designs. I used "Corazones" from the Folklorico Collection by Alexander Henry 'cause I first thought how funny a flaming sacred heart would be over her little doggie-in-heat-butt. Other great designs I could have chosen for this are loteria cards (also by A.H., but tough to find if you don't already have some), dice or cards, sugar skulls, etc.

Position some fusible medium on the reverse side of your fabric, covering the design you want to cut out completely (with a little extra, just in case). Because I was dealing with a heavy material (denim), I used Heat N Bond Ultra, which I don't usually like because the fusible "glue" tends to soak through the fabrics. Because this project was using a dark design on a lightish denim, and I planned to embellish over the design, I wasn't going to worry about it (and I really want the design to stay put on her little doggie butt). If you don't have HnB Ultra in your stash, you can fuse several layers of a regular weight medium onto the fabric (I usually use Wonder Under).

Once the glue cools, peel the paper backing off and begin to cut out the design with SHARP scissors. (If you sew on a regular basis, you should have a pair that are dedicated ONLY to fabric and which never ever cut anything else. Want to know why? Try cutting a detailed design from fabric with paper crafting scissors and look at the weave unravel!) TIP: Make sure you cut out the design AFTER you remove the paper. If you remove the paper afterward, you will pull your design out of shape and ruin the sharp outline.

OK, now for the fun stuff! Iron on your newly created "patch" onto the pants and embellish to your heart's delight!



I used 3mm Swarovski hotfix crystals in diamond (clear) & siam around the hear and citron at the tips of the "holy rays." The glitter is Stickles glitter glue by Ranger products in burgundy/xmas red/orange peel all kinda painted on and smushed together on the flame, and gold on the "rays."

I think she feels sassier already  I know I do.

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Stamp Update!

A little cross-posting at Skelekitty's request!

StampaFe Art Stamps let me know today that they have the plates for the Skelekitty stamps in hand! They're working on a big wholesale order (sounds like their business is doing well!), so we're looking at about two weeks until y'all can order stamps! Of course, I will make an announcement right here as soon as they're available for order.

I'm all kitty-happy, 'cause StampaFe is really going all out by putting an ad in Rubber Stamp Madness magazine for the Nov/Dec/Jan issue:


as well as one in the Northern New Mexico Quilt Guild's "Quilt Fiesta" guide!

The Quilt Fiesta is a biennial quilt show held in October on even numbered years in one of my (and Krissi's) favorite towns, Santa Fe, NM. This year's Quilt Fiesta theme is Tradition Transformed: The New Art of Quilting, which, if I do say so myself, fits in pretty well with what we have going on over here - given that the first time I showed up, I was on a quilt!

I think I'll go have myself a little catnip and relax in a sunbeam. Life is good.

Skele-rubs,

SK

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Free Cupcake-o-Guadalupe pattern on PimpStitch!

At long last (well, a week, but it feels longer the way I blog), I can unveil the FREE embroidery pattern I designed for PimpStitch! 

The lucky recipient of the original in the photo is Artsy Gringa, Michele ('cause she was my partner in the "...of Guadalupe" swap on swap-bot).

For those of you who haven't yet discovered PimpStitch, it is the indie embroidery brainchild of well-known artisans, Tamie Snow (Roxycraft) and Missy Balance (Mohair Circus), with the added talent of designers Amy Cluck (Peptogirl Industries) and Lauren Brandy (Goody-Goody).  PimpStitch has been featured quite a bit lately on CRAFT's blog and why not?  They regularly offer tips, tutorials and free patterns along with the awesome and VERY affordable unique (and did I mention downloadable for your instant gratification?) designs they create.

To celebrate the obscene number of hits I've been getting from being their guest designer, I'm going to extend the time to get a  FREE SKELEKITTY POSTCARD until I run out or until the end of the week!  Just click over and follow the directions!

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Scary CRAFT's Night of the Crafters approacheth...

It's just over a week away - find out what's up for Sacramento's original craft night this month!

Scary CRAFT: August Craft Night - Little Black Hats & More!

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Another Side of "Krissi"

I know most of the art up on my site is colorful to the point of garishness, and on top of that, it features a lot of anatomical pieces (hearts, bones, etc.). Hey, it's my thing. However, I thought several of my readers might be interested in seeing some of the "tamer" stuff (pun intended) I've done.

Case in point - "Bear and Valentino"

I created these two custom quilts from photographs (which I hope is obvious) for my friend Donna's wedding this summer. Since Donna doesn't splay her life out on the interwebs like some of us (how inconsiderate, huh?), the photos were obtained with a lot of spy work done by one of her friends, her sister and son working as a team.

I like the way these turned out a lot, and I like the technique even more. Oddly enough, I'd been rolling just such an idea around in my brain for about 8 or so months when I saw a how-to article in Cloth Paper Scissors (Issue 18, May 2008) by Jane Lafazio. Well then I just HAD to do it right there and then - I mean I had a dog-nut getting married in a month, anyway. Photos of the quilts' processes (say that 3 times fast), are available on my Flickr account.

I'm hoping to do quite a few more of these, but in colors that are less sedate AND all together at once, all Krissi-like and stuff:

So there you go - garish at last (like it wasn't going to happen or something).

p.s. Oh, and yes, I take requests, though not until the end of August. E-mail me to have a size/price/detail conversation.

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Halloween Stitches!

Now you know Skelekitty and I will tell you that it's ALWAYS the right time to create with a Halloween theme. However, as we approach Fall and the orange, black and bones show up in the craft stores, we notice that folks seem more motivated to spookify their crafts. Pimp Stitch, as always, is at your side to help you out.

This week the ladies who are taking the embroidery world by storm with their irresistible and affordable patterns have released 8 new patterns! Two by each artist, the designs are all in a Halloween theme to adorn all of you spooky*cute decorations!

Check out:

• Happy Scary and Bananas in Pajamas (Halloween ed.) by Tamie Snow,
• Halloween Carnies and Halloween Costumes by Missy Balance
• Funny Face and Halloween Friends by Amy Cluck
• Pumpkin Patch and Hallow's Eve by Lauren Brandy

As Pimp Stitch says, "keep your stitch hand strong!"

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In lieu of my own blog...

My closest friends and a few of my colleagues know that I've been dealing with a mystery health malfunction over the past few weeks, for which I still don't have a diagnosis. The problem isn't life threatening or anything, but the occasional pain and the turn-you-into-a-zombie meds have worn me down a bit. This of course, is the reason I'm behind on orders, swaps and blogging. Thanks to everyone for the "checking in" calls and e-mails.

That said, here's an awesome blog written by someone else. Elexis takes a break from her usual creations for her company, "Good Pails To Have" and creates an easy and cute wallet tutorial for us on her blog, The Stuff I Live For. She has measurements for a bill wallet as well as a smaller version to hold credit cards. Awesome, yes?

I haven't been at my sewing machines for a while, but when I do get back (and clear my backlog of orders and misc. projects), I'm going to make one of these for myself out of some of my fun Dia de los Muertos fabrics.



Be sure to check out the other "stuff to make" on Elexis's blog - there is some seriously cute stuff there.

Sew on, folks!

Kisses,

K

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Anticipating the launch of two awesome product lines!

PIMPIN' STITCHES:

A few of my pals from the Sacramento Craft Mafia have started a new company, Pimp Stitch! Starting June 25th, they'll be offering original designs for hand embroidery! All eight of the pattern collections are created by the four designers, Tamie Snow (Roxiecraft), Missy Balance (Mohair Circus & Crafty Carnival), Amy Cluck (Peptogirl Industries) and Lauren Brandy (Goody-Goody & Speckled Hen). Each of these very talented ladies brings their own unique style to the mix & .

Can't wait for the 25th? Well worry not; there are FREE goodies to be had in the meantime (free is my favorite word)! Just head over to pimpstitch.com, or get all clicky for the newest free pattern, Get Your Party On designed by our own Peptogirl, Amy (featuring, of course, a cupcake)!


And if you haven't done so already, be sure to download Missy's free design, Let's Get This Party Started, or you'll be sorry!


Next week, free embroidery pattern goodness from Lauren! Woo Hoo!


SOON, WE ALL CAN BE CRAFTY CHICAS:


So everyone knows by now how awesome the Crafty Chica Cruise was this March, yes? Well I've been waiting, impatiently at times, since I first heard Kathy Caño-Murillo was working with Duncan Crafts to launch a Crafty Chica product line. Thank the glitter gods (actually, goddesses is probably more accurate) that it's almost here. August first.




Every day during the last week of July, I will probably be lurking outside each morning, awaiting the opening of my local craft store (the one that has a masculine name) so that I can get my butt in there and get all my Crafty Chica glittery, bright and Latin goodness as soon as possible. (Maybe Sacred Snatch and I can team up and divide and conquer.... Hmmm... that's worth considering.) The product line will be in 140+ of these craft stores throughout the western & southwestern US on promotional endcaps. The purchases that we make at this unnamed craft store now will be the deciding factor on what products they decide to carry in their permanent inventory - this product line's future is in OUR paint-spattered hands, fellow craftistas!

Here's just a tiny peek at just a few of the awesome items!


In the meantime, head over to Kathy's website and blog for project ideas. Don't forget to drop in on her Flickr account and choose the "crafty chica" (by Patrick Murillo) that best represents you & put her on your website!

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This time last year

I started blogging officially in March of 2007 (using Word Press) & then this March, I happily moved my babbling self over here to Blogspot. WordPress is great - don't get me wrong - I just love the ease of comment posting and networking here on Blogspot (plus, it's gotten easier to use since Google took it over).

Here's a blast from the past - a post from June of 2007 when I was still trying to find my style. "Am I a quilter?" "Do I make accessories?"

I was working on my large sacred heart quilt and a decorated "sugar skull" inspired by the fabulous Patrick Murillo. I hope he doesn't secretly want MY skull (on a platter) for abusing his original creation with a bunch of sparkly thread. He and his wife Kathy (aka The Crafty Chica) have both been a huge inspiration to me along the way. It truly was a thrill meeting and crafting with them both on the cruise in March!

K

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June 15, 2007: Mental Fred Flintstone Scramble

I tried to get goin' yesterday, but didn't seem to get anywhere. Today I clearly got some traction and gained momentum.

Details:

(I need to take some better photos of the details, but I still have to bind this one and I think I'm going to add a few beads.)

Next - here is the base for a Mexican sugar skull -- I used a skull mask from Patrick Murillo's Dia de los Muertos "teachers' kit" to get me started. I was going to fuse on the decorations, but I just scored some awesome Ricky Tims sparkly thread, so I think I'll do a little more bobbin work (where you put thread too thick to fit through a needle in your bobbin, then sew from the back of your work).

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June 22, 2007: Quick Post on Ricky Tims Razzle Dazzle Threads

Just one word: AWESOME!

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UPDATED: It's a matter of opinion (new photos)

My hubby doesn't care for my newest creation - says it's too much 'in your face.' A few of my girl-type-friends LOVE it for the same reasons I do - it's funny and it's oddly empowering. And, yes, it's what you think it is.



I'm in a group of female artists & crafters on Swap-Bot (www.swap-bot.com) who openly talk about anything and I'll give it to them, no-one has been judgmental at all. One of the girls posted a link to a vagina coin purse and jokingly said we should make and swap them. I immediately decided to do just that - but for another, unrelated swap for an "emergency puta kit," or, in English, "Ho on the Go").

I've shown my little 'snatchel' around (hey now!) and have decided that I should make a limited edition run of them for sale. I'll be taking a few custom orders and just about any color is available. I may even make a few "ready to wear" so to speak, but when those are sold out, they're gone for good folks!

Here are the details:

• made from 100% high quality (quilting quality) hand-dyed cotton fabrics from my HUGE fabric stash - if you want a specific color(s), I probably have it
• features light stuffing (labial puffiness is negotiable) and a plastic pearl bead "clitoris"
• fully lined and features a garment quality zipper
• approx 5" in diameter (2-3" high when filled)
• will easily hold several credit cards, a lipstick, money & a key (or your tampons and liners ... or condoms... or ...)
• guaranteed to be a conversation starter ... or stopper when you pull it out to check your lipstick!
• $30 plus tax ($2.33 CA residents only) & shipping ($6 - includes a $1 PayPal use fee; deduct $1 if paying by check) -- LIMITED EDITION!  NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

UPDATE: OK, since my MySpace pal Inspirada asked, here are some more photos (of the filled purse) to give you a better idea of what it really looks like. I used 3 colors (light pink, pink and red) of hand dyed cotton on this purse. Since the lining (red here) and back.(lt. pink here) aren't really seen much, a print could be used instead.



You know you want one.

Reserve your custom 'coin-puss' now and I'll start sewing for a down payment of $10.

MODELED BY THE LOVELY SAM MARIE

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Night of the Crafters is back!

It's that time again already! It's fourth Tuesday and that means it's time for Night of the Crafters in Sacramento.

This month, we'll be:

• looking at the creations resulting from the "monster" craft challenge from April
• announcing the craft challenge themes for June, July & August
• announcing the hands-on technique/tutorial for June
• CRAFTING (isn't that what it's all about?)
• and watching Miss Sam Marie use her scissors and a little magic to turn T-shirts like this:
  
  
  
  into T-shirts like this!
  
  HUBBA HUBBA! If you would like to craft along with Sam Marie, please bring a T shirt or another article of clothing for reconstruction, a pair of scissors, a needle and thread and anything you'd like to add to your new creation (beads, buttons, lace, etc.)
  

No matter what you'll be working on, be sure to bring your craft supplies AND A CHAIR! Last month's turnout was great, and we expect to have more people this month (so if you have a table too, we welcome it warmly). We'll see you at the:

NIGHT OF THE CRAFTERS
graciously hosted by Side Show Studios
May 27th (and every 4th Tuesday), 6:30 to 9pm
Side Show Studios
5635 Freeport, #6 - Sactown
(adults and mature teens only please - thank you for helping to give our Mommy-members the night "off")

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To tide you over until I actually post again....

Hi all! Well, I am officially home from my 2+ week vacation and I have TONS of photos and lots of blogging yet to do. I lost a huge chunk of a blog yesterday and am not even sure when blogspot SAVED over the full version with the truncated version! However, as I seem to do most of the time, I brought some germiness home with me and am not quite up to snuff, as they say (but there is lots of sniffling).

In the meantime, here is an awesome blog by "Sew, Mama Sew!" where Beth demystifies professional looking seam techniques. To prove that you don't need to have an "overlock" or "serger" to achieve awesome seams, all but the very last technique can be done with a basic sewing machine. All you need is a straight stitch & a zig zag stitch - there is also a technique using pinking (zig zag) shears.

Yes, Yoli, I know I still owe you (in person) and the world (in photos) a step-by-step tutorial on how to install a zipper without swearing. As soon as I stop sneezing and coughing (or if you wear a surgical mask and gloves), I'll show ya!

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Woo Hoo! Now I can do something with those T-Shirts!

I'm excited that my pal Sam Marie Grove has agreed to grace the Scary-Art CRAFT crowd at our next craft night, Night of the Crafters, and show us how to do a little wardrobe refashioning!

Watch Sam use her scissors and a little magic to turn T-shirts like this:


into T-shirts like this!


HUBBA HUBBA!

Check out the Scary CRAFT blog for more info on Sacramento's original craft night, "Night of the Crafters" with Side Show Studios & Scary-Art CRAFT.

I wish you were ALL in Sacramento!

xo

K

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