New Polymer Clay Technique?

I don't know if anyone else has ever tried this with polymer clay but a few years ago I was trying to make a detailed leaf shape and wasn't happy with my hand formed try.

I didn't have a mini cookie cutter in the shape I needed. But I did have a paper punch and figured I'd give it a try!

It worked beautifully and ever since I've been able to make fantastic fall leaves (not to mention lots of other detailed clay shapes) using my paper punch collection.

Back To Spinning

After getting my wheel this past Christmas I spent the latter half of the winter and the spring spinning every chance I got. But as soon as the hot sticky summer weather started I couldn't stand the idea of being surrounded by piles of un-spun wool.

It had been so long since I'd even thought about spinning I had started to question whether or not getting a wheel was a good idea.

Well... after just a few days with a fall chill in the air I went running for the wheel.

Feeling the fiber twist through my fingers and remembering how wonderfully cozy all this wool felt on the coldest of winter days now has me wondering why I was ever worried that I wouldn't be interested in spinning anymore.

Oh and don't forget that on Monday October 4th I'll be hosting the first ever Cupkins link party. I hope you'll join Joanne (from Ready, Set, Craft!) and I and leave link to your Halloween themed Cupcake or Muffin.

Guerilla Crafting On The Road

This weekend my hubbie ran his second ever half marathon. (Yay Hubbie!) Since we travelled for the race it was up to me to be his one-woman cheering section. Unfortunately the cheering section forgot to pack the sign, and only realized it at the race!

So with 2 hours to kill... I figured I'd improvise. There had to be something in the back of the car I could use to make a sign.

I found a brown grocery bag, painters tape and a utility knife. Which seemed like everything I needed! Then I tried to cut the paper bag and soon realized with the way I was going it was likely going to be my finger, leg or the seats in the car that would get cut with the utility knife instead.

At that point I remembered my original plan for killing two hours- reading and knitting.

In my knitting tool kit I always have 3 pairs of small scissors! (yes three, I don't know why...)

So I sat in the back of the car and taped away, designing as I went. The bag turned out to be the perfect sign material. With the handles taped between the two sides I was able to make two messages and flip the sign over when hubbie rounded the last turn.

On the condition of Hubbie's continued blog-anonymity this side said "Go Hubbie" and the other said "Wicked Good Job" since we were at the Wicked Half Marathon in Salem MA.

While I liked the opportunity to flex my guerilla crafting muscles a little, I think the real lesson here is that I should have emergency markers and poster board in the car at all times!