i could make that

Hi, I'm Alison, and I make stuff. I Could Make That is a log of my crafty life. Welcome! var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-2011572-2']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[scissorsandthread]

Stuffed Balloon Animals | Little Inspiration

If you have a kid who loves balloon animals, they’re going to love this ‘forever’ version! And you’ll love how easy it is to make them. What I like the most about these softies is that they’re perfect for boys or girls of any age - I’m sure there are some kids at heart who would dig their own soft balloon dog!

[stitchlab]

Keepin' it Fresh in 2015 with Knitted Magic Soaps in a Sock

One of my most favorite holidays is New Year’s.  I love looking back at the past year and then moving forward into a whole new one.  It’s magical! As a festive sentiment for friends, I’ve been making Soaps in A Sock.  

I’ve seen similar things floating around for quite a while, but I improved on the pattern so that it requires NO SEAMING (my knitting nemesis). They are crazy quick to make and use up all those random yarn scraps.  

You’ll need:

Wool Yarns of any weight, I held 2 worsted strands together

US no 8 32” circular knitting needle

A spare DPN or Straight needle for Bind Off

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps (or whatever you like)

EASY Special Skills: Judy’s Magic Cast On,  Magic Loop Knitting, 3 Needle Bind Off

Here we go:

Using Judy’s Magic Cast on, and either a bulky yarn or 2  worsted strands held together, CO 20 stitches, 10 stitches on each needle.  

Use a marker to denote beginning of round, or your yarn tail, which is what I like to do.  Using the Magic Loop method of circular knitting, work in stockinette stitch until your sock measures 4” or the size of your soap.  If you’ve never tried the Magic Cast On or Magic Loop, you’re in for a treat!  They are both truly magical!

Once your soap sock is the right length, insert the soap.  You’ll need a little slack length to bind off, so knit an extra round or 2 if necessary. 

Using the 3 Needle Bind Off, BO all stitches.  Tuck in any tails. 

I made a cute little label in Word, but you can easily hand write one too. 

They are addictive to make, so make one for everyone you love.  Happy New Year!! Love, Becky.

[fpmolina]

What’s up my knitters? I made some Bob’s Burgers Knitting Charts for you! Free PDF Downloads

[createforless]

Boxes with Lighting via 101 Woonideeen

[thisoldapartment]

This DIY bedside table and lamp would make a nice replacement for the stacks of books on your floor. (And by “your” I mean my.) -EL

Note from ts: GREAT find, EL! Isn’t createforless the jam, for real for real? LOVE them!

[icouldmakethat]

How-To: Turn Any Photo into a Quilt Pattern | MAKE: Craft Game: changed.

[unconsumption]

It is a shame that the Power Mac G5, and the first-generation Mac Pro, are these beautiful hunks of aluminum that have no present-day use.

While the conscientious may deliver them to recycling facilities, wouldn’t it be cool if the shells could be usefully repurposed?

Germany-based designer Klaus Geiger thought so, and machined a solid piece of walnut to perfectly match the radii in the G5 tower’s handles.

[unconsumption]

 (via Repurposed Macs, from Class to Crass - Core77)

[icouldmakethat]

Retro Diamond Focal Wall - Vintage Revivals

[scissorsandthread]

Paint Dipped Balsa Wood Candle Holder | A Beautiful Mess

Standing in the hardware store the other day, I found a stand of balsa wood. I told my dad that I wanted some. Why?, he asked. I don’t know, I replied, I just like balsa wood. And who knows when I would find the perfect project for it? And then look - here is not only the perfect thing I’ve been looking for for my mantle piece, but it’s made from balsa wood! See, I’m not crazy (though I may be a hoarder). If you’ve never used balsa wood before, you will love it. It’s so soft that you can cut it with a craft knife, it’s light weight and if need be, you can make a model airplane out of it.

[icouldmakethat]

Home Made Cat Wheel | Stitches n' Sews My boyfriend and I were talking the other day about getting a hamster wheel for our Chihuahua who hates going for walks. But it looks like making one wouldn't be that difficult.

[alexlitel]

What happens when you combine a power drill and a Micron pen.

[icouldmakethat]

OMG yes

[icouldmakethat]

Laura's Loop: Tulip Tank Top - The Purl Bee Putting this on my list of things to make! With knitting, I have trouble making things I'll actually wear. I don't much care for any kind of pullover top with sleeves, but I keep forgetting that and knitting them anyway. "Don't spend weeks/months making yourself something to keep in a drawer" seems pretty obvious, but I can use the reminder.

[icouldmakethat]

(via One-Pot Wonders: Baked Eggs in Avocado Cups With Feta and Mint | Serious Eats)

[storagegeek]

Hanging boot organizers! I had no idea these existed. You can either purchase them for super cheap: $11.99 via Amazon or you could easily DIY yourself up one with an upcycled comforter bag or an old sheet or some great fabric.

[icouldmakethat]

We will be doing this for sure. My boots are all scrunched up at the bottom of my wardrobe, and I hate it. That pool noodle thing isn't a terrible idea, but I feel like it'd take up too much space. 

[icouldmakethat]

The Moistest Chocolate Mug Cake - Table for Two I've heard this is good, but my first thought was, "If I had a bunch of Nutella in my house, what the hell would I need to make cake for?"

[icouldmakethat]

DIY Dartboard • Lovely Indeed The DIY-er in me is thinking, oh, how inventive and cute! The dart player in me is thinking: 1. There's not nearly enough contrast between the two colors that replaced red & green. 2. That guy is standing too close to the board. 3. Two sets of three darts need to be the same color for a standard two-player game of Cricket. 4. What dart game requires nine darts? 5. Where is the scoreboard? 6. PLASTIC GLITTER DARTS WTF NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *dies*

[icouldmakethat]

Made By Meg: Why I Won’t Be ‘Going Tribal’ This Summer

Meg makes some really great points about the use of the words “tribal” and “ethnic” to describe fabric prints. Whenever I see those words used, my first thought is always “Which tribe? What ethnicity?” This Target ad uses “world prints” instead, which is a little better but doesn’t really solve the problem.

[icouldmakethat]

Amazon.com: Best Summer Ever: A summer's worth of fun, inexpensive art & learning projects to occupy kids 6-11 at home for hours at a time eBook: Leila Kalmbach: Kindle Store Do you have kids? My friend Leila just published a Kindle book of craft projects for kids. I don't do much kid craft stuff here, so I thought I'd throw this out there in case you're interested!