White Aran Cardigan

I finally finished this white aran cardigan.  It is an order, but I just couldn’t find the motivation to get it done.

I do apologise for the photo, I am not very good at taking the time to set it up properly.  Or, I could just say that I am lazy.

This is the third time I have knitted this pattern and the second time I have knitted it in white. (not my favourite colour )

After casting off at the shoulders on the back, you then knit the 7 rows of rib for the neck band.

The front borders are picked up and knitted and then when you sew it together, you join the back neck and the front borders together.

I quite like doing it this way, rather than doing all the way from one front up and round to the other side.  A lot less stitches this way.

The pattern is from the “Sirdar – Arans For Living  (276) pattern book.

This pattern book can still be found in wool shops.

Making shaker cards is a great way to make a card that is different to a standard card. This is something that can be done by yourself or a really fun way to get your children involved in crafting.

Step 1 – When making shaker cards begin by folding a piece of card. Here I have used an A4 Piece of card and folded it half.

Step 2 – Open your card so you are looking at the inside and draw the shape you wish to cut out for the ‘shaker’ section. You can use stencils or draw free hand.

Step 3 – Using a craft knife or a shape cutter cut your shape out.

Step 4 – Turn your card over and decorate.

Step 5 – Once decorated, open up the card again. Place double sided tape around the cut out shape and attach some acetate to cover the hole.

Step 6 – Once the acetate is in place turn the card back over to the front and place peel offs or ribbon around the cut out shape to frame it. At this point you may want to add any extra embellishments such as ‘ happy birthday’ etc.

Step 7 – Open the card again and place 3D foam all around the acetate. Try to place it as close to the edge as possible as this will mean you can use fewer beads in your ‘shakers’.

Step 8 – Choose a piece of paper to use for the background of your window.

Step 9 – Place double sided tape around the edges of the inside of the card

Step 10 – Remove the backing from the double sided tape and 3d foam and carefully pour in your beads. You could also use small confetti, or punched out paper shapes.

Step 11 – Carefully place your chosen paper over the top, taking care to press down around the window and the edges of the card. Once secure trim the paper down to fit the size of your card.

Step 12 – Your finished ‘shaker card’

When making shaker cards you do not have to use beads, you can also use confetti, sand or anything that is small and fine. Making shaker cards is a really fun way to show off your craft talents.

Vicki Churchill writes for several sites that specialize in card making ideas. Including helpful step by step guides, tips and ideas to use when card making. She is also the owner of a site that is dedicated to scrapbook page layouts

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Churchill

The “French Wires” or “Fish Hooks”, are often names given to this type of earring wire. They only require a few inches of wire and a limited amount of jewelry making tools to complete.

The materials needed to complete this project are 3 ½” of the wire of your choice. You will need round-nosed pliers, wire cutting tools, and a jeweler’s file. Round-nosed pliers are a great tool for making a small loop in your wire.

The first step in this process is to cut your wire evenly in half. It is recommended you file the ends to ensure their smoothness. This may only be necessary on the cut ends and will give your piece a more professional appearance.

Next you will need to grasp your wire on one end. Begin wrapping the end around the small part of your round-nosed pliers. The object at this time is to make a small loop on the end. Do one piece at a time. Compare the wires to each other to make sure they are uniformly created.

Now hold both wires together at the same time and in the same spot. With the thickest part of your round-nosed pliers, approximately ¼ ” past the loops just made, grab both wires. Use your fingers now to make a bend in the wires 180 degrees around the pliers. It is crucial they both look the same. Make sure you compare the wires before moving on to the each step.

The next step will be a slight bend and will help the wires look more rounded. Again, you will do this part with both wires at the same time. Place the larger part of the round-nosed pliers ¼” from the curl. The nose of the pliers should point up to the ceiling

and the curl in the wire should be horizontal to you. Very carefully squeeze the curl part and the flat part toward each other, making a slight bend. This will be about a 5 degrees bend.

Once this is complete, hold the wires next to each other and make sure they are still looking the same. To finish the wires place at the middle point of the round-nosed pliers, approximately ¼ ” from the ends. Slightly bend the ends at the same time. This bend will be about 25 degrees.

Your piece is now ready to add your beads and accessories to. As you can see, the basic earring hooks are easy to make. You may find even if you do not always make your own, it may come in handy knowing how to do it yourself. You just never know when time constraints and lack of materials may warrant the need for you to do it yourself!

Amy

www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com

www.picturetrail.com/photos/aressa

I am a handmade jewelry artist. I love to make gemstones, Swarovski crystals, and sterling silver jewelry. I also offer a custom jewelry design service and would love to help you with your jewelry needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Ressa

Wood turning projects approach the central theme of many wood turning activities, the learning and development of new skills. Like many if not all of the arts and crafts of the world, wood turning is an activity that knows of no bounds to learning. There are always new things to master.

In order to appropriate a particular set of cutting modes and turning stances it is necessary to repeat the same cuts and motions many times. Here is the place where wood turning projects shine. Rather than a set of exercises performed over and over with nothing to show for results except shavings, you can finish with an assortment of gifts or small articles for sale.

Keeping the wood turning projects small in size accomplishes a few things for us:

• cost is kept to a minimum. While some of the projects should be turned in inexpensive local woods, if the final piece is to be made in an exotic and expensive wood, at least one of the practice pieces should be as well.
• repetition is encouraged as each project pieces is brought to a finish
• it is easy to see where improvement is called for on the next turning and it is quick to get to it
• mistakes are easy to see and learn from. If the practice project is deemed not fit for repair cuts there is little waste, little expense, and an easy opportunity for repetition with better success.
• the needed cuts may be practiced without a lot of distraction. It is likely that many of the project cuts are not those needed to be practiced but the size of the piece allows them to be quickly accomplished and the new cuts attended to. Of course it should be noted at the same time that all cuts are good practice and every one can be improved upon.

Wood turning is a collection of skills that need to be mastered so as to free the creative impulses to design on the fly. In a sense the wood lathe is the potter’s wheel turned 90°. All the forms of the turning potter are available to us but like the potter, they can only be accomplished if they are learned well. This is a learning not only of the mind but also the body and unlike the potter, it is far more difficult to return lost wood whereas clay may be remoulded many times. The wood turning project allows the wood turner to practice the techniques that need to be second nature when creating the final product.

Darrell Feltmate is a juried wood turner whose web site, Around the Woods , contains detailed information about wood turning for the novice or experienced turner as well as a collection of turnings for your viewing pleasure. You too can learn to turn wood, here is the place to start. Wondering what it looks like? Follow the page links for a free video.

There are several wood turning projects fully explained on the web site. In particular, a selection of beginner’s projects may be found on the Beginner’s Projects page complete with explanation and step by step photos.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darrell_Feltmate

Shirley

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Hi Shirley,

I thought you and your readers might be interested in a site we have just made this week.

It’s called Rubber Stampability, and we have created lots of pages that dynamically display the latest eBay auctions ending soon for various different types of rubber stamps, we have already found some nice stamps ourselves!

It’s our first site so we’d love to know your thoughts if there is anything you think we have missed or should change on the site.

The is : www.rubberstampability.com

Thanks!

Millions of people throughout the world have hobbies to help them relax after a long day of work. One hobby that has risen in popularity is candle making.

Candle making has become sort of an art form. Each person has their own ideas and designs for candles, and each candle has the potential of becoming a work of art, if only to its creator.

Candle making is not difficult, however if you are creating something that will become a focal point of a room, you want it to be perfect. The great thing about candle making is that if you make a mistake, you can melt the candle and start all over again.

Candle Making Kits Are Great

Candle making kits are great for first timers to introduce yourself to candle making. Candle making kits will show you the basic steps and techniques when you have the basic knowledge of how to make candles, you will be able to create candles that are stunning.

The first step in candle making is to protect your work surface from melted wax. Covering with newspaper or heavy plastic will insure that your workspace is kept clean.

You do not need elaborate tools to create wonderful candles. A roasting pan and a thermometer will work just as well as all of the fancy equipment that can be quite expensive.

Candle making kits can become a way to spend quality time with your children. However, it is very important that they are supervised at all times to avoid any accidents that may occur.

Safety First

Melting wax is relatively easy, however little fingers may try to test it. Make sure that you advise your children that although the melted wax may smell good, it is extremely hot and they could get serious injuries if they try to touch it.

Dyes and fragrances for candles are available at craft stores throughout the country. It is important that you add the dye slowly to the melted wax and wait for it to dissolve completely. Adding colors one at a time will allow you to determine which colors work with each other the best.

It is very important that you watch the wax very carefully when it is melting. If the heat is too high, it will burn the wax. If melting wax begins to smoke, remove it from the heat immediately, being very careful not to spill any on your skin. If this should happen, do not wipe it off. You could spread it cause more serious burns. Instead, run it under cold water until the wax hardens and it should fall right off.

Once you have poured your wax into your molds, it will need twenty-four hours or more to cool and harden completely. Once the candle has set up, it is time to decorate.

Add Personality To Your Candle Making

Choosing the right pattern for your candle is the most creative part of candle making. If you want to add a splash of color, try melting your favorite colored crayon for a vibrant look to your candle.

You can use just about anything from stencils to non-flammable beads to create works of art. You are limited only by your imagination.

If you choose to create scented candles, adding crushed herbs will give a pleasant scent that will last as long as the candle itself. Candle making kits come with complete instructions on how to create the perfect candle. They are easy to follow and can be used in any setting.

Candle Making Kits are great fun and also make for an interesting past time by yourself or with your family. Learn even more about candle making kits at. Types of Candles.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_J

Soap making supply sources are very numerous on the Internet. It’s actually puzzling where to go for supplies and information.

Consider these five categories of soap supplies that you must choose for your soap making project.

1. Oils

The most basic material you must choose are your base oils, the actual oils that turn to soap. If you’re making only small batches, you may choose to use what’s available in your local grocery store.

As your production volume goes up, you may choose to buy in larger volume. Here, shipping costs are a major factor.

If you do order your oils, consider Columbus Foods in Chicago for excellent quality materials at great prices.

2. Scents

If you scent your soaps, which you probably will, the choice of a scent supplier is difficult. Thee are so many to choose from.

You must choose whether to use synthetic fragrance oils in endless varieties. Or you may decide to use natural essential oils.

There are suppliers who specialize in each or some carry both types.

The choice of the scent oils may be a large part of your cost for a bar of soap.

3. Colors

Colors can be commercial pigments approved for cosmetics. These are often clay based.

Or there are many natural materials that produce muted earth tones. I’ve used and enjoy rose hips, spirulina, turmeric, kelp and many other natural plant-based materials as colorants.

Some soap making supply sources carry both types.

4. Lye

Lye is used to turn the oils to soap. It is a necessary ingredient in soap. But it is classified as a hazardous material so it’s expensive to ship. Luckily it is available through many of the soap supply source companies.

Lye can sometimes be found in building supply stores in the plumbing department.

The best place to buy lye is locally through an industrial chemical supply house. You’ll most likely need a tax exempt certificate or some way to prove you’re a business. Your wholesale cost will be far less than any other way.

5. Information

There is a bewildering amount of information about making soap available online.

Much of it is very good. and from reliable sources. Some of it is worthless.

A good inexpensive basic printed book is Soap by Ann Bramson. It’s a classic.

With some good guidance and a little work you can find the best soap making supply sources for your soap making projects.

Al Bullington writes about rural living and small scale business topics. He has made and sold soap for years.

For ideas about the best soap making supply sources as well as professional tips on making and marketing soap get his Soap Business Kit at www.soapbizkit.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Al_Bullington

Wood turning projects are a great way to learn new skills and to refresh old ones. They generally come with instructions from start to finish and hopefully with lots of pictures to give further guidance. However, the very nature of wanting to learn a new skill determines that the project needs to be repeated several times until the skills are developed. Often it is the case where the first is fascinating, the next couple are fun, and fourth is a challenge and rest are boredom but should be done. Since most of us who turn are hobbyists, boredom can be a killer to the craft. Thankfully, there are three simple ways to dress up a project, each or which may add its own challenges and interests.

First there is the obvious method of adding beads and coves. While it may seem like a simple solution to boredom one needs to ask where each bead or cove goes and whether it “works” with other beads, coves, straights and curves. If it goes on a handle does it make the handle more or less comfortable to use? Are there artistic reasons for placement or utilitarian ones such as distinguishing one tool from another while it is on the bench amidst the shavings? Adding beads and coves to spindle woke is so common that it is good practice for all spindle turning but face plate projects should not be neglected either. One bead at the rim of a bowl may give it an elegant look while a fully beaded surface will change the grain appearance strikingly, particularly in a broad grained wood like oak or ash.

Second one might add a line of color with burning or wood displacement. To burn a line on a rotating piece of wood one first suspends a thin wire between two wooden handles. Holding the wire without handles is asking for burned, cut or removed fingers while using the handles renders the activity safe. As the wood rotates at good speed it is first grooved slightly to prevent the wire from slipping as it is held in the groove. Pressure is applied by pulling the wire taut between the handles and friction causes a burn line to form. The depth of color can be controlled with additional pressure or the duration of the burn.

Wood displacement adds a line of color by actually transferring a bit of wood from one piece to the next and tends to work best on faceplate work although it can be used on spindles. It also works better with dark woods being used to color light ones. For instance if a bowl of maple is turning on the lathe, a thin piece of rosewood about 6 inches long and 1 inch wide but only 1/16″ thick may have its edge brought to the spinning wood. Under a bit of pressure a bit of the rosewood will actually be transferred to the spinning maple. The band may be darkened by holding the rosewood in place a bit longer and broadened simply by moving it left and right.

Third is adding color to the wood. For some this is a shock under the belief that wood turnings should always be left natural, but people have been coloring them since turning started. Color may be added easily with felt markers while the wood turns or is stationary. The varieties of paints and stains available are amazing indeed. Leather dyes should not be overlooked. They use an alcohol solvent that will not raise the grain the wood, apply and dry quickly, and allow the grain of the wood to show through. Again there is a wide variety of colors available and they all mix well to give infinite choice.

Each of these methods and many others allow for adaption of wood turning projects to make them into signature pieces for a turner while learning a variety of techniques and style without the boredom of undue repetition.

Darrell Feltmate is a juried wood turner whose web site, Around the Woods , contains detailed information about wood turning for the novice or experienced turner as well as a collection of turnings for your viewing pleasure. You too can learn to turn wood, here is the place to start. Wondering what it looks like? Follow the page links for a free video.

There are several wood turning projects fully explained on the web site. In particular, a selection of beginner’s projects may be found on the Beginner’s Projects page complete with explanation and step by step photos.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darrell_Feltmate

Scrapbooking is becoming more and more popular because it not only allows you to show memorable moments in an eye-catching way but it has therapeutic properties and can be done to release stress as a past time as well as being a way to express your ideas and artistic side.

The substance to scrapbooking is the pictures and items that you have collected from a moment in time that you want to capture forever. Whether it is a day out with the family or the birth of your first child having those treasured pictures and memorabilia displayed in this way will give it a unique and tangible memoir.

The photos are probably the most important part of any project but you will also need an album to display those photos in. It is down to each individual which size scrapbook you choose, the most popular being 12 x 12 or 8 x 8 because there is a vast amount of beautiful paper available for these album sizes.

Depending on how many pages you intend to create it is always worth purchasing some additional refills because once you get started you will not be able to stop. The refills will protect your pages and keep them in prime condition.

Because scrapbooking involves a substantial amount of cutting a good pair of scissors is a must. Never purchase cheap ones as this is one item you really need to spend out on as they can mean the difference between a perfect cut and a tatty looking page.

The paper itself can be purchased from most craft shops and online. You will need to purchase a variety of designs as no page should be the same, you will also need various contrasting papers for matt and layering and other variations of scrapbooking.

Adhesive is also essential, there are many different types of adhesive that serve different purposes, for instance the type of adhesive you use to attach your paper may not work with vellum if you decide to use that as well. Your adhesive collection will grow as you move on to more complex projects and before you know it you will have an adhesive for every occasion.

The most important thing when purchasing any scrapbooking materials and supplies is to make sure it is acid free this will make the pages last longer and stop them from deteriorating over time.

Above all do not rush your projects, if you have a photo and can not think how to create a page for it set it aside and try something else, an idea will come to you when you least expect it and before you know it you will be creating the perfect scrapbook page.

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in Card Making Ideas providing you with excellent tips and ideas for Rubber Stamping and Scrap Booking Tips including where to find the best bargains

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Churchill

Scrapbooking as a hobby has been around for decades but, today, the ideal way to scrapbook is to encourage each individual to be creative in the Scrapbook Themes that they use. Gone are the simple black and white scrapbook pages; now colored and textured papers can be used to enhance your carefully chosen photos. And lovely themed stickers and other creative embellishments are woven in to create a truly unique, ‘one-of-a-kind’ memory album.

There really is no limit to the types of Scrapbook Themes you can use in your scrapbooking projects. Whether you choose to highlight one specific event or you decide to compose a large, family album covering years of memories – the options are many and the choice is yours.

FAMILY SCRAPBOOK THEMES

For your own personal scrapbooks, you may choose to create family album sections for your Scrapbook Themes. Each occasion can be given its own scrapbook album section: seasons, holidays, birthdays, family reunions, sporting events, etc.

If a family album is too large of a project to tackle, consider creating Scrapbook Themes specifically for each child. A baby’s ‘firsts’, including their first smile, a lock of hair, first words or baby booties are excellent additions to a baby themed scrapbook.

As the children grow older, the family Scrapbook Themes could include such things as: awards, graduations, certificates and other accomplishments that can be inserted into protective covers to showcase and protect these precious memories for years to come. Make sure to include photos of your child with school friends and special teachers as well.

INDIVIDUAL SCRAPBOOK THEMES

Individual Scrapbook Themes make great small albums and are perfect gift ideas. Themes like a baby’s birth, graduation, marriage, promotions, retirements or other momentous occasions make wonderful unique and memorable gifts.

You can easily and inexpensively make a small gift with a ‘brag book’ accordion style scrapbook album. Purchase coordinating stickers, rubber stamps or charms to make your Scrapbook Themes more tangible. For example, for a wedding scrapbook, you could include such items as the couple’s wedding invitation and newspaper announcement which will be cherished mementos. Use paper doilies, lace, gift wrapping paper and pressed flowers to embellish the pages in keeping with the theme of the scrapbook.

WHEN SELECTING SCRAPBOOK THEMES

Scrapbooking is more than just a fun (and addicting) hobby – it is a way to preserve precious memories. But you do not have to choose Scrapbook Themes just because they are common or can be purchased in a pre-packaged kit. It’s more important to choose the memories that you feel are worth the extra effort of preserving in a scrapbook that will last a lifetime and then determine from that what the scrapbook theme should be.

For more ideas on Scrapbook Themes and other Scrapbooking Inspiration visit: www.Scrapbooking-For-Fun-And-Profit.com in Audio and Print Versions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cherie_Litchfield