a perfect springtime planter!

if you missed last night, you missed a really great project! it was a perfect night for crafting outside and all the cans turned out great!

it's spring (though some may argue that it was the middle of summer with the heat on monday!) and everything is turning nice and green again. i've really been taking interest in plants more and more lately. i've always loved flowers but this is the first time i've actually taken the time to garden!

i got some incredible tomato plants at RAM this past weekend, so monday i fit a little gardening in. (if you take a closer look at the background of the picture, you an see a green tomato already hanging on the plant!) on the front porch of my house there are a few really deep planters on one side that i planted some tomato plants in. i decided to plant the tomatoes in there because that spot gets great sun and anything planted there always seems to flourish. i've also got a bunch of "baby" succulents that i'm sprouting. i've got quite a little nursery planted on my porch. it's so much fun to watch the progression of succulents as they grow too. this planter is just the perfect size to put small plant in! i've asked raglands, the restaurant next door to my shop, if they could save their XL cans that will be great for bigger plants. i think i may just have to make some of these for my RAM booth! :)

have a wonderful week! i'd love to hear any projects that you would be interested in doing in the next few weeks!

until then...

xoxo,
emily

Recycled cans make perfect spring planters!

this week for crafty tuesdays we're making a super cute mosaic planter (or canister for whatever) from cans and vintage plates. i'm really looking forward to this project. it turned out really well, though it's hard to tell how fabulous this is from the picture above. (i took really pretty pictures this afternoon in hopes that the USB cord would turn up, but no luck... so had to turn to the trusty camera phone. boohoo.)

WHAT TO BRING:

- a can leftover from a canned good of some sort... (i will have about 10 on hand, so hopefully that will be enough... but you never know how many people may show up...)
-broken/old dishes if you'd like (i also purchased a lot of cool vintage ceramics to break up, so we should have enough... but if you have something you'd like to use, please bring)
-a hammer, if you have (i'll have a few on hand. everyone is good at sharing!)
-plus don't forget your beers, friends and $5! :)

we will be doing this project outside (the grout is super messy!), so you may want to dress accordingly. it could still be pretty hot at 6:30ish.

looking forward to this project! see you all tomorrow!

xoxo,
emily

this wednesday at the old library basement...

make sure to put this on your artwalk stop this wednesday night! anomaly (along with jaxbeard, hiphophell and shantytown) is sponsoring shaun thurston and friends from ATL for one night only! woohoo! we'll have some anomaly girls walking around in our newest clothing and delivering a special anomaly drink just for you! see you there!

xxoo. e

pretty spring napkin rings!

i found a super cool craft book from the 70's a few weeks ago and there are some great ideas in it. one is for napkin rings make with plaster bandages. unfortunately i have been hitting up the health and beauty section of numerous box stores and have yet to find it. i needed a substitute. i had some drywall tape (i think that's what it's called) in my stockpile of stuff and tried it out. voila!

what a perfect gift to make for mom! go the extra mile and tell your mother you appreciate her with a handmade gift straight from the heart! pair the napkin rings with a new set of napkins (or stitch up a set yourself) and you've got quite a gift!

ALSO... since craftacular tuesday happens to fall on the 5th of may this year, i'm making this pinata! (see the how to from threadbanger below.) i'm filling it with goodies for some cinco de mayo fun. woohoo!

see you tuesday, same time, same place.

until then...
xxoo. emily

ALSO FOR TONIGHT...

BRING AN IRON AND ANY PLASTIC BAGS YOU HAVE AROUND YOUR HOUSE, IF YOU CAN! i forgot to mention this when i posted the project... oops!

see you tonight!

xxoo. em

a fusa-bowl!

it's 12:15am the day of craftacular tuesday. after wracking my brain for the past week trying to figure out a pet craft that i promised josh, i decided we would make a multi purpose bowl. this project can double as a super cool collapsible and reusable pet water bowl (for the fur friends) or make a few in different sizes and shapes and use as cool decorative containers.

last night the sample i mocked up didn't really turn out as i'd imagined. with some adjustments to the pattern, i tried again this afternoon. i'd planned to use recycled raincoats and vinyl materials, but the sides were too flimsy. and it kept leaking. no good.

then earlier this evening i was working on another project and it came to me... i would make fused plastic fabric (out of recycled grocery bags) and then sew the bowl from that. the layers of plastic made the walls of the bowl strong, while still being lightweight and pliable. i really think it turned out great... unfortunately, there is no picture. it's another case of the missing USB cord! sorry! (i think the cord is in my car but it's too dark to really see, so hopefully i will find it in the morning and be able to post the picture for you!)

other than that... here are the details about the crafty meet-up that happens every tuesday only at...

ANOMALY. 1021 park street. 32204
TONIGHT. (and every tuesday night)- 6:30-8:30p.
BYOB. (yes, you read that correctly.)
+$5. (that's $2.50 an hour. i don't know where you can get entertainment that cheap and a souvenir from the evening. that's what she said!)

**SIDENOTE: IF YOU HAVE A SEWING MACHINE YOU CAN SHARE FOR THIS PROJECT, PLEASE BRING IT. THERE IS SOME SIMPLE SEWING INVOLVED.**

if you've been saying you want to come check out what this crafty business is all about and haven't yet, what are you waiting for? craftacular tuesday is calling your name.

hope to see you tonight! xxoo. emily

note to self: next time i see the USB in my trunk and think, "i should pick that up and put it with the camera, so next time i need to use it i will know where it is." i should actually do what i'm thinking.

come collage a necklace tonight!

i swore i wasn't going to teach the secrets of making this necklace because i didn't want everyone copying my creations. but due to crafters block this week and the fact that this is a really cool necklace to put together, i thought tonight would be a great night to make this.

















as always just bring yourself and $5 for crafting madness. if you have any broken jewelry or other trinkets that you'd like to add to a necklace, please bring that too. i will have buttons, assorted laces, fabrics and trims to use! looking forward to seeing everyone tonight for craftacular tuesdays!

oh and by the way... did anyone happen to catch me getting crafty in a comic? check out the haiku life for more super cool comics too! i'm excited that birdie is my new friend. he's a haiku genius! if you're on twitter, i highly suggest you follow his antics here. and birdie--- i can't thank you enough for the comic and hope you will be gracing us with your presence at craft night again soon!


stay tuned for next week... i'm working on a craft for pet lovers! until then... xxoo. em