Craft Fanatic

fairies

2014-07-04T12:51:00.002-07:00

Art Dolls

2014-05-13T06:33:00.004-07:00

Here are a couple more dolls that I completed. The first one is called "Wood Knots" by Allison Murano. He's sooooo cute!

The last one "Lucinda" by Barbara Scheonoff.

Keep crafting!

Craft Fanatic!

New addiciton!

2014-04-23T07:42:00.003-07:00

Every year I like to start something new. This year I chose art dolls.

This was my first attempt. I found this wonderful website (www.dollmakersjourney.com) that sold me everything I needed to get started. I chose Ute Vasina's pattern "Little Folk". Thanks to her easy to follow pattern I created my own "Little Folk". Now I'm hooked!

I used the same pattern to make my sister this lovely older cheerleader with her orthopedics!

Here's Dancing Dora having fun!

This pattern is by Jill Maas. It was a lot of fun to maker her accessories! I used a rhinestone trim that I found. And even made her a ring!

The flower fairy was made from the silk flowers that I used in a couple of previous projects that I have posted.

I think I'm addicted to these art dolls!

I have a few more in the works and don't plan on stopping any time soon!

Stay tuned!

Your favorite craft fanatic!

January 2013

2013-04-16T08:39:00.001-07:00

Right after Christmas I had this bright idea to make another quilt.

I used my new Cricut to cut the butterflies and the flowers on the border.

Since it was winter and cold out I thought it would be a great idea to do some hand quilting!

Was I wrong!

Don't get me wrong, hand quilting is fun, but I'm not even half way done yet and I'm already bored with it. May have to throw it on the machine to finish it.

I also started a grandmother's flower garden...all by hand! It's been a loooooooooong winter!

Needless to say it's not finished either!

I'll pick it back up next winter!

keep crafting,

just another Craft Fanatic!

Catching up

2013-04-16T08:25:00.003-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted anything and I apologize for that!

I don't have a good excuse...just lazy!

I have been crafting...a lot.

Let's get everyone caught up. Here are some of the things that I've been doing.

I had a lot of fun cutting wine bottles and turning them into drinking glasses as well as candle holders.

It was also fun emptying the bottles! :)

I received a Cricut for Christmas and have spent a lot of time scrap booking and I seem to be addicted to these little people! They're so fun and cute!

My grandson's First Birthday!

That gets us through December!

keep crafting,

just another Craft-Fanatic!

Thanksgiving 2012

2012-11-23T11:33:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We did! Indstead of taking naps, playing games, or watching football we crafted since this was the first time I've had Thanksging at my house they excpeted nothing less.

We started the afternoon off with making magnets out of bottle caps, but that didn't hold their attention for long.

From left to right we have my sister Heidi, my mom Nancy and my niece Lexis.

We soon moved on to something else. I went to my craft supplies and found some cigar boxes that I was saving for the right project to come along.

It was perfect!

With some scrapbooking paper and modge podge we spent several hours having fun!

My daughter-in-law soon joined us for this project and she really did have a great time, even though the look on her face shows some concern. She just hates having her picture taken and she claims she's not very crafty.

They all turned out great and I can't wait to embelish mine with a little bling!

Stay tuned,

just another Craft Fanatic!

Preparing for the Holidays

2012-11-17T17:54:00.003-08:00

I've been busy today! Trying to stay ahead of the Holidays. Time is running out on greating those holiday gifts and ornaments.

I started my morning by finishing up my nieces shoes for her. She's attending UNI this year and needs a pair of spirit shoes to root on those panthers.

I needed to finish up my gift tag ornaments.
I made these cupcake ornaments and added a gift tag to give to all of my friends and family.

and I loved Lexis's shoes so much I had to make myself a pair.

Great day! I even managed to get my husband to shampoo the carpet today!

I think I've earned a nice hot bath!

Keep crafting!

your favorite Craft Fanatic!

working

2012-11-16T17:30:00.002-08:00

Hey Karen,
This is what I've been up to...and time is running out on me. The picture doesn't even show the sock monkey outfit I'm making for my grandson who turns 1 on Dec. 23rd.

Keep you posted!

Your favorite Craft Fanatic

Painted shoes

2012-10-29T11:17:00.003-07:00

I found a cheap pait of white canvas tennis shoes and wanted to give them a face lift.

Sorry it wouldn't let me rotate the picture.

Enjoy!

Paracord Bracelet

2012-10-20T20:21:00.001-07:00

Paracord Bracelets! Who knew! I've been having so much fun making these bracelets today!

Wish I had bought more colors today, because I'm hooked and want to make one in every color! I've got to figure out a way to add a little bling to them though.

Keep crafting,

just another

Craft Fanatic!

Painted Mom's...shoes

2012-10-07T15:19:00.001-07:00

The last pair of shoes I painted were so fun that I purchased another pairt and this is what happened.

I know these had to have butterflies! I'm addicted to them.

The saying on the side is: Treasure yesterday, dream of tomorrow, but live today!

Can't wait to wear them!

Keep Crafting,

The Craft Fanatic

Painted Toms

2012-09-10T08:26:00.001-07:00

Sorry guys it's been awhile since I've posted a new project. I got inspired when a woman I work with wanted her Toms painted with ISU colors. I was very hesitant because I didn't want to ruin them but decided to dive in and give it a try!

It turned out to be VERY fun! And can't wait to get a pair for myself and paint them too!

Enjoy!

keep crafting,

Craft Fanatic!

Camp Crafting

2012-05-28T17:34:00.002-07:00

Finally broke out the camper for the summer. We always craft when we camp...it's like what fishing and boating are to others...it's all about the crafting and relaxing to us!

We started off the long weekend with the left over t-shirts from Amy's many quilts that she's made. Thanks Amy for saving them for us...keep them coming!

You can find the instructions anywhere on the web...we found ours on pinterest.

That's my mom cutting strips from the bottom sections of t-shirts making loops.

We only used 9 spokes since we used smaller hula hoops and weaved the t-shirt loops around the spokes until there was about 4 inches or so let at the end to cut and tie.

We found out the hard way to keep your weaving fairly loose or you'll end up with a bowl when you are finished. The finished rugs measured about 22" or so.

We also tried Sharpie Tye dying. That was really fun!!!!
Even my sister enjoyed herself...she claims not to be very crafty but every once n awhile I find one she likes to do.

We happened to have a whole container full of permanent markers and with some regular rubbing alcohol we spent a wonderful afternoon creating these t-shirts. You can also find the instructions for this project on Pinterest.

We also incorporated some plastic cups and rubber bands to create these circles.

I love how my flowers tuned out.

Once you spary the alcohol onto the shirt the colors stransfrom into a tye dye affect.

I've never had more fun with three plain white t-shirts and markers!

Keep creating,
just another
Craft Fanatic!

coasters

2012-05-15T18:26:00.001-07:00

Back to alcohol ink! Creating more coasters to take to Stella's on Main. I love playing with all the different color combinations.

I've combined the alcohol ink vases with my stained glass flowers and have come up with a couple of wonderfull displays of happiness!

Our first camping trip starts soon and I've got alot of Pinterest projects lined up to give a try! I've got to get our supplies in order.

TTFN!

Keep creating,

just another,

Craft Fanatic!

April 30, 2012

2012-04-30T06:44:00.002-07:00

Here you go Amy! I made a couple of bracelets over the weekend. I finally finished making thousands of colored jump rings so that I could assemble three bracelets...only two are pictured, sorry.

I loved how they turned out!
I spent most of the weekend working on stained glass flowers.

I enlisted the help of my son or I still wouldn't be done with them. They still need the patina, but the most tedious part of the job is done.

Last week I finally took the next step and took some of my stuff to our local gift shop, Stella's on Main, in Gilbert, Iowa. It's kind of scary putting yourself out there like that for everyone to criticize.

Enjoy,

just another,
Craft Fanatic!

April 18th

2012-04-18T13:46:00.002-07:00

I've been feeling under the weather the last couple of days and have let my blog slip...sorry.

Here's what I've been up to in the last week.

I know you've seen this painting before, but I love painting these butterflies on canvas paper and cutting them out and adding them to a project to give it my finishing touch.

I also finished the mini crayon melting project.

More butterflies.

What no butterflies....it's still wet yet and who knows...we'll see if a butterfly or two makes it on the canvas.

I think it's time for my creations to leave the nest. I hope to display them at our local shop and maybe someone else will love them as much as I do.

Who knows, maybe I'll make a few dollars along the way.

Keep creating!

just another,
Craft Fanatic

April 5th

2012-04-08T16:24:00.002-07:00

The painting continues until my new shipment of supplies arrive. Should be on my doorstep tomorrow! I'm pretty excited.

Still need to work on the photo taking, but you get the general idea. The butterflies are still drying, then I'll add a little more detail with 3-D monarchs...my favorite!

Here's a small sample of the flowers in my front yard. Maybe they'll inspire the next painting.

Stay tuned!

Until next time,

just another,
Craft Fanatic

More painting

2012-04-04T16:36:00.002-07:00

Here you go Amy! :)

Sorry it's not jewelry...yet...but I've got some wire ordered and have a cool bracelet mulling around in my head that I want to make out of jump rings. The twist is that the wire is colored and I hope to create a rainbow of deliciousness!

But it's still painting for now.

Here's another one of my little 3" canvases I picked up a couple of weeks ago and another bigger one that I painted some hills of flowers.

I wish you could see the colors...the flowers are a wonderfull shade of purple and pink. See Dan, I need you to take the pictures for me.

Check back later and see what I'm doing with pistachio shells!

just another

Craft Fanatic!

Flower garden part 2

2012-03-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

Here's what I did over the weekend.
Here's an update on the Flower Garden oil painting.
I added some leaves left over from the crayon melting project and a new bunch of yellow flowers.
I love to add 3 dimensional aspects to my paintings. It brings the painting to life.

And speaking of the crayon melting project...here's a little crayon melting for you.
I found a tiny 2"x2" canvas over the weekend and my son thought it would be fun to do the crayon melting on it.

Check back for the finished version.

I also had time to finish another outfit for Lu Lu.
Now she has a party dress, shoes, and a removable boa.

That's about it for this crafting weekend.

Can't wait to see what I'm inspired to make next time.

Sorry Amy, no jewelry this time.

just another

Craft Fanatic!

Painting

2012-03-19T08:31:00.003-07:00

Since it was such a nice week of weather we had it inspired me to get out my paints and create a display of colors waiting to come into bloom.

I even found a use for some of those leftover flowers from the crayong melting project!

As soon as it's dry I'll post a new picture of the finished piece.

I wanted to post this picture since I will be replacing it with the new field of flowers. It was done shortly after I broke my arm (clear up by my right shoulder). It's a good thing I'm left handed or I would have been in trouble. I was home from work for more than four weeks and was starting to get really bored. I had my husband help me get out my paint supplies and set up at the kitchen table...where I love to paint. There were alot of trials and tribulations with figuring out how to keep the easle from moving and just getting the feel of painting with only one hand, but I managed and this was the result.

I've been very happy with it and it's been proudly dispayed at my desk at work, but it's now time to think spring and bring in some happy colors.

Happy Crafting!

just another,
Craft Fanatic

Handbag

2012-03-12T13:25:00.002-07:00

My granddaughter spent only about 10 minutes playing with the doll...she's more of a tom boy anyway.
Here's the fabulous handbag Lu Lu's been wanting!

I loved working with the silver faux leather that I got at Joann Fabrics.

Still working on the fairy outfit. I'll keep you posted.

Keep crafting!

just another
Craft Fanatic!

LuLu's new outfits

2012-03-07T19:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome back!

Since my granddaughter Bailey is coming over this weekend she can test out Lu Lu's new outfits and see what others she might like. I'm leaning towards a fairy outfit and a spring dress.

Lu Lu's ready for those chilly days with her faux fur coat with rhinestone snaps and a trendy pair of zebra print Sherpa lined suede boots. That's a mouthful! All she needs now is a fabulous handbag...maybe I'll have time before Bailey gets here Saturday.

The zebra fabric was leftover from a pair of slippers I made for myself...they're comfy!

She's ready for Saturday morning cartoons in her flannel PJ's and comfy slippers. My husband says it looks like a Kimono...what do boys know...well maybe it does a little.

I better get started on the fairy outfit and spring dress and let's not forget the fabulous handbag! I've got lots to do before Saturday!

Keep creating!

just another
Craft Fanatic!

My Doll

2012-02-28T18:48:00.004-08:00

OK! I caved and bought a doll to wear the fringe boots that I fell in love with. And what girl doesn't need a new outfit to go with them. So I made the top and leggings to complete the outfit.

I still can't get over how cute those boots are!

I can see this is going to get way out of hand! I already have plans on a fur coat, fairy outfit, pj's, and many more. The best part is I already have all of the fabric I need from the many other projects I've done. And I'm sure it won't stop there! Let's not forget the accessories and a way to store the clothes is going to be fun! I already have my eye on an old suitcase I want to turn into a traveling wardrobe for her.

I can't believe I havn't given her a name yet...let me know what you think.

Check back and see what else I create for my new doll.

Keep creating!

just another,
Craft Fanatic

Leather doll boots

2012-02-26T17:18:00.000-08:00

Welcome back!
Another great weekend here in the heart of Iowa!

During my many hours of browsing on pinterst I came accross this site for doll clothes and fell in love with these boots...wish they came in my size!...who knows that may be my next project.

I let my inner child come out today and created these boots for an 18" doll that I don't currently have...may have to get one. These were really fun!

I still need to finish to souls of the boots, but couldn't wait to share the cuteness of these boots.

You can find the pattern at www.dollclothespatterns.net/ . The instructions were very easy to follow and I can't wait to finish the whole outfit!

Check back and see if I create a whole wardrobe for the doll...yet to be chosen.

That's all have have for this weekend...I'm off to buy a doll!

Keep creating!

just another,

Craft Fanatic

Water Mixable Oil Paints

2012-02-21T19:11:00.000-08:00

Has anyone tried water mixable oil paint? They're great! I've only done a couple of paintings in real oils and found the smell terrible and messy! I was at Hobby Lobby looking to buy paints and came across Winsor & Newton water mixable oils. I bought a set and a few canvases and hurried home to give them a try. I found that the water mixable oils were easy to work with and cleaned up with soap and water. Now no more smell from the turpentine and cleaning up is much easier.

Here are a few examples of what I've created using this GREAT product.

Not my first attempt but after I purchased the Darrell Crow basic techniques DVDs I was able to produce this painting and many more that I have given to family and friends. Darrell has a lot tips and techniques that make painting easy and fun! I was soon hooked and went on to try other things.
Once I got the feel for how the paints worked and learned a few tricks from the DVDs I turned a few of my photographs of my husbands flowers into oil paintings My husband loves his flower gardens so I have hundreds of photos of flowers and butterflies...which I love!

The monarch butterfly inspired me the most, since it's my favorite so I went on to create many more. The butterfly painted in the above photo was painted on oil paper and cut out and glued to the flower painting that I was almost scrapped because I wasn't happy with it. Now it's one of my favorites!

I loved how the monarchs popped against the blue sky on this set of four that I did.

When I got tired of working with the smaller (16x20 and 8 x 10) canvases I dug out a very large (40"x40") painting that I purchased at an auction for less than $20 and covered it with black paint and created what my family calls the toxic waste butterflies. The picture doesn't do it justice. The butterflies look like they're glowing.

I also gave it a try on a mirror. The birds below were really fun to do. I had some leftover mirrors from my stained glass stash so I gave it a try and it turned out great!

Follow my blog and see what I come up with next...I don't even know what kind of craft project I'll tackle next.

Keep creating!

just another,

Craft Fanatic!