Cubeecraft

Maybe I live under a rock, I dunno, but I've only recently discovered Cubees, and I really love making them. They are perfect for when I feel like keeping my hands busy, but am not feeling particularly creative. I can print a couple out, like the Aquateen Hunger Force set you see hanging out on my DVD shelf, throw on a DVD or some music, and get to cutting. The site says you don't need glue, but I still dabbed a little bit on each tab. The site has a ton of free printable Cubees, over 200 mostly nerdy pop culture characters as well as some designer originals created by guest artists. Head on over to the CubeeCraft website to check them out.

Faux Old Books or Custom Book Covers: Tutorial Link

This tutorial shows you a great way to re-cover books. They would look perfect in your Wunderkammer, cabinet of curiosities, or for Halloween decor. It's also a great way to gussy up a plain, boring sketchbook.

The tutorial is easy to follow and calls for cheap materials that you probably already have laying around. All you need is an old book, cardboard, glue or Mod Podge, paper towels, and craft/acrylic paint. There are also plenty of clear pictures for reference.

Fabric Hair Bow: Tutorial

First, let me apologize for the quality of the photos. My camera is has been broken for some time now, so I've been using my phone. Secondly, this is the first photo tutorial, so I hope that it's adequate.
This is a great way to use up fabric scraps to make cute accessories.

You will need:

• Fabric
• Needle and thread
• Hair clip
• Hot glue gun + glue (optional)

1. Cut two rectangles from your fabric. The larger one should be twice as long and twice as wide as what you want your finished bow to be, plus a little extra for seam allowance. The second,
smaller piece should be twice the width of the center part of the bow and about two inches long.



2. Fold each piece in half, with the "wrong" side facing out. Sew along the open edge. This will create two tubes. I used orange thread so that it would be easy to see.




3. Turn the tubes inside out, so that the "right" side of the fabric is showing. Fold it so that the seam runs down the center of one side. You can iron the tubes at this point, but I'm lazy when it comes to things like that, so I didn't.



4. Fold the larger tube in half so that the seam is on the inside. Whip stitch the raw edges together. You can either iron it now so that the whip stitched seam is in the center, or do what I did and just kind of flatten it with your hands.





5. Fold and pinch the bow in the center, making it look the way you want, keeping the seam to the back.






6. Run a few stitches through the center, securing the folds.









7. Wrap the smaller tube around the center of the bow. Fold the raw edge over and secure it in the back with a few stitches. Your bow is now done!










8. Attach the clip to the back of the bow, using
either stitches or hot glue.






Variations:

• Layer your fabric with tulle, fishnet, or lace.
• Use less fabric by using pinking shears on the edge of the big tube. You only need to cut a rectangle of fabric twice as long, but the same width as the finished bow.
• Glue or sew a button or decoration to the center. I used Halloween favor rings with the ring part cut off.
• Embellish with embroidery, beads, or sequins.
  

Space Invader Pop Up Card: Tutorial Link

Maybe you remember my post about Extreme Cards and Papercrafting? Yes, no?

Well, I wanted to tell you guys about a recent tutorial that recently popped up on her blog. That's right, kids. A Space Invader pop up card! Indulge your inner geek (or the inner geek of a loved one) by creating this awesome card. You can find the tutorial and downloadable PDF or DXF tutorial by following this link.

DIY iPod Skins: Tutorial Link

I love to decorate anything I can get my hands on. I always joke that if it'll hold still long enough, I'll customize it.

That's why I was so excited to find this awesome tutorial on how to make your own custom iPod or mobile device skins over at Crafting For Cheapskates.

I have the iPod Touch, so I sadly can't really use this project for my iPod, but I do have a very sad looking Blackberry! This will also make a perfect birthday present, dontchyathink?

Playing Card Messenger Bag: Tutorial Link

I found this easy to follow tutorial at Crafty Mommy and Me on how to make a trading card purse using materials you may either already have at home, or can easily be purchased at the dollar store. All you need are purse straps, sticky vinyl, and playing or trading cards.

She uses World of Warcraft cards, but I'm thinking that this would be equally as awesome if regular ol' playing cards were used. This project really makes me wish that I hadn't accidentally trashed my old Garbage Pail Kids collection. This project would also work really well for wallet sized photos, paint chips from the hardware store, or any other small rectangular or square bits of cardstock or paper. You can easily adapt this tutorial to make makeup bags or small purses.

If you're really feeling adventurous, why not try putting in a zipper? Just remember that once you stitch vinyl, there is no going back - those holes are there foooreeeveer. Also, make sure that you use the correct needle, feet and stitch settings for vinyl. Since this project uses adhesive vinyl, your needle can get gunked up pretty quickly, so keep a little rubbing alcohol and some cotton swabs handy to clean that needle off.

Specimens for Your Bottles: Parasitic Worms

The good folks over at Propnomicon
have provided us with yet another great tutorial relating to creepy things in bottles. This tutorial shows us a very cheap and easy way to make parasitic worms out of liquid latex. A huge mess of these would look wonderfully creepy floating inside a dingy specimen jar, don't you think? You could also add a tiny bit of acrylic paint to the latex to give your parasites some color.

I find nothing more disgusting and interesting, at the same time, as parasitic worms. They repulse me, but I can't help but want to know more about them! If parasites are as fascinating to you as they are to me, I suggest checking out Animal Planet's show Monsters Inside Me.

Bottled Specimens: Version II

Previously, I wrote about creating your own bottled fetus. I also wanted to share another tutorial with you guys on how to make another type of bottled specimen. This time, rather than a fetus, it is a 'mystery specimen.' The tutorial is very clear and concise, with plenty of photos. The author has even included a link to a printable label for your jar (which Lovecraft fans will get a kick out of).
The author discusses things that they would have done differently at the end of the article, such as making the preserving liquid less dark, which I agree completely with. While the darkness and dinginess of the preserving liquid makes it harder for the observer to identify it's contents, it also makes it hard to tell if there is anything in there at all. I do think that sealing the bottle in wax is a great idea, and will have to try that out. I think it lends a bit of a more authentic touch to the whole project.

Miniature Mummy: Tutorial Link

Now, this tutorial is actually for a mummified fairy. I am not exactly the biggest fan of mythological creatures, but I still think that the finished product is totally rad. Personally, I would leave out the wings and fairy accessories, but I still think that it would fit nicely on a shelf next to your bottled specimens and mounted insects. The photo I have included in this post is of the mummy before the author of the tutorial added the wings. The tutorial is nice and clear, very simple, and includes plenty of pictures.
Perhaps you could use this tutorial to make a mummy for a faked freakshow exhibit, similar to this absolutely amazing freakshow prop over at Curiomira.

Beware of Zombies Cross Stitch

There are three things in life that make me very happy. Okay, there are more than three things that bring me joy, but only three of those many things pertain to this post. These three joyous things are:

1. Crafts
2. Zombies
3. Free stuff

When it comes to crafts, I especially love cross stitch. It was one of the very first crafts I ever learned how to do. It is very simple and you end up with stunning results. That is why I was pretty much ecstatic when I found this cross stitch chart. It is crafty, it has to do with zombies, and it is free! I just really love the ornate border and I know that it would just look stunning. How about changing the colors and stitching it up on black Aida?

Zombie Defense Kit - Tutorial Link

Are you prepared for the zombie apocalypse?
This is a very serious question, my friends. One that you must ask yourself and your loved ones.

There are many essentials that may come to mind when preparing for a zombie attack, such as a military vehicle, a fortress, etc. However, the most important item is actually a basic weapons kit.
Craftster user KCBlueGal gives us a great text tutorial on how to make a basic zombie survival kit.

Bunny in a Bear has probably created the coolest ever DIY zombie survival kit I have ever seen. Ever. I highly suggest checking out his kit. Just be warned that you will probably be so impressed that you will fall out of your chair. The case cover doubles as a sheild, my friends, a sheild!

FriendlyNeighbourPsycho has their own version, or rather, versions which can also be found on Craftster over here.

Bottled Specimens: Tutorial Link

I've always loved the look of a shelf lined with bottled specimens. I really don't know where this strange interest came from, but whatever. I know that they creep a lot of people out, but my love of all things biology and all things macabre make me want a whole cabinet in my home filled with them.
I would love the real deal, but I will have to settle for fakes. The plus side of creating your own fakes is that you can make either very hard to find specimens, or mythical creatures. I have a long standing love of birth defects and fetus mutations, as well as all things crafty, so DIY bottled specimens are right up my alley.
I have found a wonderful tutorial for faking a mutated fetus specimen, as seen to the right. It can be found here over at the Indy Mogul forums.
This tutorial uses all kinds of fancy materials that are not readily available to me, and is also meant for making many of the same specimen. You could use the concept of this very thorough tutorial to create your own one-offs using polymer clay.

Zombie Art Quilt

When I first saw this art quilt by Craftster user Pearliepie, I was absolutely stunned. Personally, I hate quilting. I wish I could love doing it, but it's just too much planning. I'm a measure never, cut a thousand times type of gal. So, I have nothing but the utmost respect for quilters. Besides, this quilt is just awesome! Check out the original post on Craftster for more detail pictures.