1
Drinks and Merriment! / Re: Sloe Gin and Slider
« on: March 19, 2013, 07:15:18 PM »
Oh, not sure blackthorn is all that common over here in the states. Certainly not in my area, or I'd have noted it. :(
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2
Drinks and Merriment! / Re: Sloe Gin and Slider
« on: March 16, 2013, 05:12:35 PM »
Wth is a sloe, and where does one acquire them?
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Drinks and Merriment! / Re: weird regional sodas
« on: January 05, 2013, 02:04:36 AM »
I tried to reply to this earlier but my browser froze. We have Stewarts and Jones on the left coast as well. And Jones is way more than cola, especially around the holidays.
The sodas I can think of that might be regional to this area are all "natural" sodas. Blue Sky (is this specific to Trader Joes?), Hansen's, and Izze. Anybody got these east of California?
The sodas I can think of that might be regional to this area are all "natural" sodas. Blue Sky (is this specific to Trader Joes?), Hansen's, and Izze. Anybody got these east of California?
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Splitter Again: Thoughts on a Knit Version
« on: October 09, 2012, 09:13:23 PM »
Today I received an email pleading for a knit version of Splitter. I'm still far too much of a novice knitter to try to render such a thing first hand, but I did write some thoughts on how to go about an attempt. Below is what I sent her. Anyone game to try working it out and sharing their results with us?
************************
I am a very novice knitter myself, so I'm not really up to the task of converting the pattern just yet. However, maybe I can give you some hints about the general construction of the pieces so you can work it out on your own. Look closely at the "figure" photos on the original crochet pattern page. They will show you what I'm talking about below. The sections of the original pattern that talk about assembly, wire frames, and attaching and finishing things should translate directly, as they don't depend on whether the work is crochet or knitting.
If you look at the pictures, you will see that each of the pieces is really just made up of flat shapes sewn together, along with a few tubes thrown in for handles. If you can knit a sweater (I can't, yet, though I've read up on the theory) you should be able to work out the required shapes here.
The axe is made of two main pieces, the head and the haft. The main shape for the head is a rectangle with a shallow scoop taken out of the bottom edge. I imagine knitting this might be like beginning to work the neckline of a bottom-up sweater, binding off stitches in the center of the row and working up each side of the neck, binding off a few more stitches with each row. Let's see if I can make an ascii axe head:
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If that shows up at all correctly for you, maybe it will give you a rough idea of the shape you're going for. Make two of those in red, and sew the axe "cutting edges" together in light grey, with a nice deep blanket stitch, or some other deep stitch, to make the edges really stand out visually.
The handle is made as a tube with an oval shaped bottom. Probably easiest to make the oval by knitting something like this:
xxx
xxxxx
xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx
xxxxx
xxx
or something along those lines. Make two ovals, one for the top of the blade (see Figure 1 on the original pattern) and one for the bottom of the haft. The tube for the haft will likely require dpn work, and there's a slight decrease about 4 inches from the end of the haft. Remember to put the decreases in line with the narrow ends of the ovals. (figure 2)
The chainsaw is made up of two pieces, body and blade, and the body is made up of two shapes, a paralellogram and a long band that will wrap around the outside of that paralellogram
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Make two paralellograms and sew the band between them, following the directions in the original pattern. I guess I would just embroider the vent on the side, using a fairly wide embroidery stitch like a daisy chain.
The blade...well, that's a tricky one. You not only need to work the wire frame into the piece, you need the picot edge to make the teeth of the blade. If you can crochet at all, I would knit the flat part of the blade in any way that gets the basic shape for you:
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then crochet the picots and wire around the edge as described in the original pattern.
If crocheting is just completely beyond you, and you can't find a willing accomplice to help with that one small part (maybe 20 minutes work for an intermediate crocheter, I promise!), then I would experiment with the picot hem method found here on EHow:
http://www.ehow.com/video_4976539_advanced-knitting-picot-edges.html
I'm sure more advanced knitters would work out some pattern using short row shaping to navigate the curved end of the blade, but I have yet to make anything that isn't a simple rectangle.
I would start by making your wire chainsaw frame, insert it into the body without the blade on it, and work the blade to fit it, rather than making the blade then fitting the wire, as in the original. I would use two sets of long circular needles, using each "pair" of needles as a single, so that the cables can hold the length and allow the work to curve around the end of the blade. Mind you, this is just a theory, and I haven't actually tried it. I would start by making the picot edge long enough to go around the wire form (make it a little snug, you want it to stretch flat, not rumple on the frame), then decrease successive rows in the curved end of the blade, keeping the work flat, until you can close the center of the long flat piece by sewing through alternating stitches from each side of the center. What you would end up with is a half of a flat round in the end of the blade with a simple seam running from there down the center of the blade to the slanted end, where the blade joins the body. When you fold over and sew the edge to make the picots, sew around the wire at the same time, to attach the blade to the frame.
I hope this was some help to you, and I'm sorry I don't have something more specific for you to work from. If you do figure out a pattern, please come join us at the AntiCraft page on Facebook, or at the AntiCraft forum (send me email if you apply there, so I can let you in) and share. I'm sure there are other knitters who'd like to know of your success! :)
************************
I am a very novice knitter myself, so I'm not really up to the task of converting the pattern just yet. However, maybe I can give you some hints about the general construction of the pieces so you can work it out on your own. Look closely at the "figure" photos on the original crochet pattern page. They will show you what I'm talking about below. The sections of the original pattern that talk about assembly, wire frames, and attaching and finishing things should translate directly, as they don't depend on whether the work is crochet or knitting.
If you look at the pictures, you will see that each of the pieces is really just made up of flat shapes sewn together, along with a few tubes thrown in for handles. If you can knit a sweater (I can't, yet, though I've read up on the theory) you should be able to work out the required shapes here.
The axe is made of two main pieces, the head and the haft. The main shape for the head is a rectangle with a shallow scoop taken out of the bottom edge. I imagine knitting this might be like beginning to work the neckline of a bottom-up sweater, binding off stitches in the center of the row and working up each side of the neck, binding off a few more stitches with each row. Let's see if I can make an ascii axe head:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxx xxxxxxx
xxxx xxxx
xx xx
If that shows up at all correctly for you, maybe it will give you a rough idea of the shape you're going for. Make two of those in red, and sew the axe "cutting edges" together in light grey, with a nice deep blanket stitch, or some other deep stitch, to make the edges really stand out visually.
The handle is made as a tube with an oval shaped bottom. Probably easiest to make the oval by knitting something like this:
xxx
xxxxx
xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx
xxxxx
xxx
or something along those lines. Make two ovals, one for the top of the blade (see Figure 1 on the original pattern) and one for the bottom of the haft. The tube for the haft will likely require dpn work, and there's a slight decrease about 4 inches from the end of the haft. Remember to put the decreases in line with the narrow ends of the ovals. (figure 2)
The chainsaw is made up of two pieces, body and blade, and the body is made up of two shapes, a paralellogram and a long band that will wrap around the outside of that paralellogram
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Make two paralellograms and sew the band between them, following the directions in the original pattern. I guess I would just embroider the vent on the side, using a fairly wide embroidery stitch like a daisy chain.
The blade...well, that's a tricky one. You not only need to work the wire frame into the piece, you need the picot edge to make the teeth of the blade. If you can crochet at all, I would knit the flat part of the blade in any way that gets the basic shape for you:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
then crochet the picots and wire around the edge as described in the original pattern.
If crocheting is just completely beyond you, and you can't find a willing accomplice to help with that one small part (maybe 20 minutes work for an intermediate crocheter, I promise!), then I would experiment with the picot hem method found here on EHow:
http://www.ehow.com/video_4976539_advanced-knitting-picot-edges.html
I'm sure more advanced knitters would work out some pattern using short row shaping to navigate the curved end of the blade, but I have yet to make anything that isn't a simple rectangle.
I would start by making your wire chainsaw frame, insert it into the body without the blade on it, and work the blade to fit it, rather than making the blade then fitting the wire, as in the original. I would use two sets of long circular needles, using each "pair" of needles as a single, so that the cables can hold the length and allow the work to curve around the end of the blade. Mind you, this is just a theory, and I haven't actually tried it. I would start by making the picot edge long enough to go around the wire form (make it a little snug, you want it to stretch flat, not rumple on the frame), then decrease successive rows in the curved end of the blade, keeping the work flat, until you can close the center of the long flat piece by sewing through alternating stitches from each side of the center. What you would end up with is a half of a flat round in the end of the blade with a simple seam running from there down the center of the blade to the slanted end, where the blade joins the body. When you fold over and sew the edge to make the picots, sew around the wire at the same time, to attach the blade to the frame.
I hope this was some help to you, and I'm sorry I don't have something more specific for you to work from. If you do figure out a pattern, please come join us at the AntiCraft page on Facebook, or at the AntiCraft forum (send me email if you apply there, so I can let you in) and share. I'm sure there are other knitters who'd like to know of your success! :)
5
Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: Catch His Eye--in an art exhibit!!
« on: January 14, 2012, 01:55:01 PM »
That's awesome, Leathra! And it's nice to see you again. :)
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: Feckin' Batty
« on: July 24, 2011, 07:50:05 PM »
Contact info for the designer is at the bottom of the project page.
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: I'm sure this is not the right place, but I'm desparate
« on: October 21, 2010, 11:30:01 PM »
Yeah, things have been really busy for all of us lately, and there turned out to be some minor issues with the last project that we haven't had time to fix. Perhaps it will make an appearance as one of the occasional stand-alone projects over the next couple years. Sorry. :-/
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: DOLLAR STORE DEATH!!! WOW!!
« on: October 08, 2010, 02:46:13 AM »
Fresh bragging rights: my latest "little deaths." ;)
[img width= height=]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs748.snc4/64796_1561896261295_1651994446_1354566_3839052_n.jpghttp://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs748.snc4/64796_1561896261295_1651994446_1354566_3839052_n.jpg[/img]
click to embiggen
[img width= height=]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs748.snc4/64796_1561896261295_1651994446_1354566_3839052_n.jpghttp://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs748.snc4/64796_1561896261295_1651994446_1354566_3839052_n.jpg[/img]
click to embiggen
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: DOLLAR STORE DEATH!!! WOW!!
« on: September 04, 2010, 12:01:42 PM »
Oh, sure, if I'd had the piece that was broken out I would have just glued it back in. I was amazed at how well the wood putty served. Another plus: I already had it! :)
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: DOLLAR STORE DEATH!!! WOW!!
« on: September 04, 2010, 01:45:20 AM »
I've not altered the angels' form much before now (adding the flowers), but when I've needed to repair something, or fill in the hole left by a wire halo, I've just used wood putty. I used it to replace a good sized chunk that got broken out of a resin angel's skirt, and with just a little sanding after it dried, you couldn't see or feel the repair in the finished death angel.
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: DOLLAR STORE DEATH!!! WOW!!
« on: August 31, 2010, 06:15:00 PM »Edit: I forgot to mention the faces glow in the dark.
Awesome! (ebul grinz)
Nice job, Keira. :) I like the colored highlights you dry brushed on the wings and such.
I've got a batch of angels base coated and ready for skeletonising for the Hallowe'en season. And I've made some Sculpy roses to cement over the those pesky words on the bases of my skinny angels, so they'll be slightly less macabre, and hopefully sell better. (crosses fingers) My sales venues are mostly visited by norms, many of whom will be quite titillated enough with the idea of a death angel other than the old Grim Reaper standby. Besides, painting the additional words is time consuming if you don't want it to look like crap.
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: Doubledecker
« on: July 21, 2010, 10:51:52 PM »By the way, I'm not trying to insult the use of paper for this issue, I love it, I'm just expanding the ideas. It mostly means I can get more use out of the ideas.
Absolutely, Caroline. There's no law saying you have to make the projects in the 'zine exactly the way they are presented. These are just jumping off points, with instructions for how to achieve exactly what you see, if that does happen to be what you want. :)
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: Splitter
« on: June 03, 2010, 07:51:57 PM »
So, The Original Splitter (TM) axe and chainsaw are no more, having ended up at dog toys. Which was fine at the time, as I had no particular use for them, once published.
But the county fair looms nearish, and this project was such fun to make, especially in public. <ebul grin> And it would take much less time to make it the second time around, because I've already done all the design experimentation work.
Whaddya all think?
ETA:
Well, I decided that it's too short notice, what with the paying work I need to be doing, and the constant, unending, heart- and mind-rending labor of coming up with more genius projects to satisfy you all ;) to be entering a project that's not even started. I have another, nearly finished item that I can finish and enter much more easily. Can't tell you what it is just yet, but you'll see it eventually.
Whaddya all think?
ETA:
Well, I decided that it's too short notice, what with the paying work I need to be doing, and the constant, unending, heart- and mind-rending labor of coming up with more genius projects to satisfy you all ;) to be entering a project that's not even started. I have another, nearly finished item that I can finish and enter much more easily. Can't tell you what it is just yet, but you'll see it eventually.
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News to Abuse -- PUBLIC / Re: Forum updates and Fiber Board added!
« on: January 19, 2010, 01:51:38 PM »
I don't see any problems with the forum, but should Embroidery not be under the Fibre heading?
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: Errr.... found an error...
« on: December 14, 2009, 03:17:25 AM »
Whoops! How the hell did we miss that?
Thanks, Den. I'll pass it on to Zabet.
Thanks, Den. I'll pass it on to Zabet.
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: DOLLAR STORE DEATH!!! WOW!!
« on: October 29, 2009, 04:28:00 PM »
Great job Wendie! I'm so impressed with the full-skeleton cherubs!
It looks like some of the angels were glazed porcelain, originally. Did you etch the glaze before painting? If not, make sure they get gentle handling. The paint will likely scratch easily, as it doesn't like to stick to the glossy finish underneath.
It looks like some of the angels were glazed porcelain, originally. Did you etch the glaze before painting? If not, make sure they get gentle handling. The paint will likely scratch easily, as it doesn't like to stick to the glossy finish underneath.
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: DOLLAR STORE DEATH!!! WOW!!
« on: July 13, 2009, 04:58:21 AM »I've realized that I am not so good at painting the details so I keep painting over the face so I can start again.
As you keep adding layers of paint, you may find that you 1) have trouble getting a smoothish surface, as the various layers underneath make lumps and bumps, and/or 2) start losing the detail in the angel's face, as the paint fills in the eyes and other depressions. If either of these things happen, you should be able to remove most of the paint by soaking her in water, then rubbing, or, if that fails, soaking for several minutes in rubbing alcohol, then rubbing. There's a risk you'll have to re-coat her in black, but you'll have a fresh surface to try painting on again.
18
Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: DOLLAR STORE DEATH!!! WOW!!
« on: January 11, 2009, 06:38:47 PM »
Oh, crap! I'll let Zabet know right away.
In the meantime, here's a direct link to the DSD: http://theanticraft.com/archive/samhain08/dollarstoredeath.htm
In the meantime, here's a direct link to the DSD: http://theanticraft.com/archive/samhain08/dollarstoredeath.htm
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: DOLLAR STORE DEATH!!! WOW!!
« on: January 08, 2009, 09:11:02 PM »
I don't know about plaster for drywall, but get out a hunk of cardboard for a practice board, your plaster, and whatever tools you have, and see what you can do on the board. If that looks promising, have a go at one of the angels.
But really, death is sacred, too. If it were me, I'd paint the haloes to suit the subject matter. I love the barbed wire idea, and it'd be easy to paint with your 18/0 round brush.
Hee, Precious Death. I want to see pictures when they're done!
But really, death is sacred, too. If it were me, I'd paint the haloes to suit the subject matter. I love the barbed wire idea, and it'd be easy to paint with your 18/0 round brush.
Hee, Precious Death. I want to see pictures when they're done!
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Projects from the Online Zine -- PUBLIC / Re: DOLLAR STORE DEATH!!! WOW!!
« on: January 08, 2009, 06:32:42 PM »
Actually, the angel with the roses had a wire halo stuck in her head originally. I was able to twist it loose, then I puttied the small hole it left with some wood filler, let it dry, and sanded it to match the lines in her hair. Then, it was spray paintin' time!
I've even used the wood putty to fill in and build up a chunk that broke out of another angel's floofy skirts. It works fine, if you're patient enough to let it dry thoroughly before trying to sand it.
I've even used the wood putty to fill in and build up a chunk that broke out of another angel's floofy skirts. It works fine, if you're patient enough to let it dry thoroughly before trying to sand it.
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