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     My dad's side of the family (the Blackwell's) were all able to be together at Christmas and my G-pa Jack had Theresa Thurman take our family picture.  Chris and I haven't had our picture taken in awhile and thought it would be nice to have one of just us.  This was one of my favorite shots and I rarely like any photos of myself.  So, just thought I'd share with you.  :)

Making Crayons

I bought a Suze Weinberg melting pot and my first project was making crayons.  I was in a hurry at the craft store and just grabbed a star shaped candy mold. Check out the process...

  I've been a Kindergarten teacher for 5 years and my crayon tub had tons of little crayon 'nubbins' at the bottom.  My current kindergartners even dug through their school boxes and gave me their broken crayons.  :)  My fingers got sore from tearing off paper, so I dug up a box knife and made a slit down each crayon.  This made it much easier!

My melting pot is in the off position in this picture.  When you plug it in, the green light on the right will come on and that means you have power.  Then you move the red slider button to the right for your temperature.  I just guessed this time and set it to about 220 degrees.  I placed my crayons inside and then placed the lid on top.  (When you place the lid on, it helps to heat faster)

   

Starting to melt...so much fun!

All the crayons have melted.  It just takes a couple of minutes to melt.  I left it turned on so it could still be heating between pouring.   

 

I'm pouring the melted crayons into a candy mold that has different sizes of stars.  I really didn't know if it would work with a candy mold...

My husband was my cameraman.  (Thanks, honey!)

 

I wasn't very happy with how it poured.  I'm sure I just need practice.  It wanted to run all over the place.

 

I decided to throw some purple crayons in...

 

And here are the cute little crayons!  I made some green ones, too, and I gave all my students a crayon.  They thought it was the coolest thing.  We've been studying recycling in Science and this was another great way to show recycling to them.  I plan to make them heart shaped crayons for Valentine's Day.  Fun, fun!!  

Serendipity

       The Angel Company released their first issue of 'Serendipity' today.  It is a 48-page magalogue (catalogue/magazine) that features brand new stamp sets, accessories, tools and lots of ideas to spark some creativity.  I'm excited because I have a card featured on page 23!  I've been published!!  I just had to share. :)

    If you would like to purchase a magalogue, they are just $2.95 each.  Let me know if you'd like to buy one.  Thanks for reading!

Needle Felted Teddy Bear

     I've been taking needle felting classes from my friend Ronnie and we finished up our teddy bears this past Saturday.  The bear on the left is my finished project and the gray bear on the right shows how big our bears started out as.  It's amazing what you can make with wool!!  Here is a link to a slideshow that shows the many stages of my teddy bear. 

Needle Felted Teddy Bear slideshow

Wallets and a Dream Machine

     I bought another pdf sewing pattern from Keyka Lou and I've had so much fun with it!  The pattern is for a box wallet and a pyramid pouch.  I used the box wallet pattern and made four wallets using some of Heather Bailey's fabric. 

   

 

     This was my first time to use these magnetic snaps.  The pattern suggested to use an invisible lining on top of the lining that was already being used.  I found that this is a MUST because you want several layers of fabric so that your snaps don't start to rip out.  They are strong little things!  

     As I was finishing my fourth wallet, I was thinking that there had to be a sewing machine out there that would allow me to sew this project more easily.  It was hard to sew along the inside because the wallet is so small.  A sewing machine that had a smaller platform or even no platform would be ideal.  I watch 'How it's Made' and I'd seen industrial sewing machines that are used to sew shoes, bags, etc.  So I did some research and found my dream machine...this machine is manufactured by a foreign company.  Prices aren't listed, so that's a sign that it's very expensive.  I realize that it's produced in mind for businesses...but this machine would make is so easy to stitch up a little wallet!  :)  Maybe there is a company in the U.S. that makes these.  I better start saving my pennies...and nickels and dimes...  :)

     Here's a picture of a regular sewing machine. 

     I don't know the proper terms, but do you see what I'm refering to as the 'platform'?  (The area that you lay your material on as you sew)  The first machine would makes things a lot more easy.  

     Before I go, I'll leave you with two more patterns that I might be trying soon from Keyka Lou's:

Curvy Clutch

Japanese Room Shoes

Giveaway featured at La Mia Designs

   

     My Etsy shop is being featured at La Mia Designs "All Yours" for the month of January.  I'm giving away a $20 gift certificate!  Head on over and enter for a chance to win!!