Tips & Tricks from around the NetThis page notes tips & tricks that I've found on various websites and in groups. (I note where I found or read the tip, where applicable.) Added 5/06/2005: Tip from MHC: Connecting pieces of PC (for large-size projects) Lots of great tips & hints at Dancing Dolphin's Musical Ornaments...Added 10/23/2004This is a great idea for any ornament!! Karen S. writes: "I have made the snowman ornament before from a book that I have but inside of the snowman I put a music button, that when you squeeze his belly he plays Frosty the Snowman. I have found that little children are fascinated by the music and they sing along. Just another idea to do with the snowman ornament." PC Tips & Tricks by UniiFixing MistakesAdded 8/2/2003From Yahoo!Group - LindasFunPlace (a plastic canvas group) One-way to fix something that has been hot-glued crookedly is to warm the glue with a hand held blow dryer and reposition when the glue is soft enough to 'give' a little. Also use the blow dryer to 'dissolve' those little wisps of strings of hot glue that 'somehow' turns up on the finished project. Link to: Crafting Tips from Creative Mom Designstips from Craft Designs For YouI have found the following to be very helpful when I am stitching plastic canvas and have come down to the last part of the yarn and need a new piece: Don't cut it. Start your new piece where you left off and work the leftover piece of yarn into the new stitches (by stitching over them). This will make your back part of the canvas cleaner and not in a mess. It also works when you are putting the finishing touches on the edges of the canvas.1. When doing plastic canvas I use a dry erase marker to mark my pattern. When finished cutting, I take a napkin or kleenex and just rub it off. 2. When following patterns from a pattern book or loose pattern I put the pattern into a top loading sheet protector (can be found at WalMart) and just use the dry erase marker to mark off the rows as I do them. Then just use either kleenex or a napkin to rub off the marker. Tips from Plastic Canvas Today magazineWork-Area Savvy I use inexpensive plastic place mats in the work area when gluing. Glue-gun drips won't stick to the plastic, and the entire place mat, with the project on top, may be moved aside to finish later. Also, the mat may be easily wiped clean or held over a wastebasket to remove debris. Save Those Scraps! To easily root plant cuttings in a jar of water, I use scraps of 7-count plastic canvas cut to fit the top of the jar. Enlarge holes as needed with a hole punch or scissors.Organizing TipsZiplock bags come in various sizes, and can be a life-saver when your project includeds a lot of small pieces. I've used both the gallon size and quart size to store project pieces, pre-cut yarn (for traveling), and extra pieces of plastic. Rubbermaid Boxes These are great for organizing pieces and parts of projects. Binders Three hole punch your patterns, or use protective sheet protectors, and keep your patterns organized in binders. Plastic drawers These are great for storing anything from small pieces, to skeins of yarn, and larger pieces of plastic. You can find them in all shapes and sizes. Perfect for storing ribbon, lace, eyes, buttons, glue sticks & glue gun, and much more! Hanging Sweater Shelves These are sold to hang in a closet, creating extra 'shelves' to lay sweaters on for storage. I use them to organize my skeins of yarn - grouping by shades on each shelf. I can easily see what colors I have, and know what I need more of! These would also work for storing pattern pages and booklests. Sewing TipsFrom Holly, in Missys Plastic Canvas Supplies Yahoo Group, added 1/1/2003 FINISHING THE BACK: (to KNOT or NOT... ;) ... Someone who took a needlepoint class ... explained that one doesn't knot, one simply finishes off the row in the back by taking the loose thread and sliding it back under the same row to the count of about 5 stitches in the back. Then tug it a little tighter with your fingers. Then you snip off the excess. She pointed out that if you slide it under it's own color that you just stitched, you are better off in case you have to remove the stitching because you won't be messing with another color (Xlnt hint!). TO START THE ROW: come up from the back, leaving a tail of about 1 inch on the back side. As you stitch, you catch the tail on the back side with the stitches you are making. This actually anchors it nicely. (I didn't think it would, but it does.) TO FINISH THE BACK use ultrasuede (I use this for barrettes). Ultra suede doen't need to have it's edges finished off as it is non-raveling. Glue in place with Bond 527. Spray both sides of project with stain retardant. I am now using "Water & Stain Protector for Fabric & Crafts". Got it at Walmart. 'Bout $5.00. #3970-60 manufacturer's number on the can. UPC 70049 39706. It works pretty well. I sprayed a barrette and left it outside to dry for 10 mins. and de-scent. Well, it started to rain, and then I remembered that the barrette was outside. Ran out to get it and found the raindrops just beading up and easily wiped off. It's easy to convert patterns just remember to add a hole if your using threads, or subtract one if your using threads. Patterns are written both ways. Washing Washing PC is easy. Use warm water and a little mild soap. Rinse well and blot dry with a bath towel. No need to block. "Cutting" your cutting time Cutting several patterns at a time. Can save time and are great for tag along projects. Just make sure to label the pieces and I keep mine in a plastic baggie. Tissue Box on the wall Those darling Tissue Box Covers. They make great wall hangings, just add a board. Easy Mobiles Try making a mobile from Fridgie Magnet patterns. TOP of Page |
© 2005 CoffeeCup Consulting L.L.C., Helena, MT
Send website comments, problems to:
mountainharmonycrafts@yahoo.com
Last update 9/05/2005