at least I'm prepared for the worst

I made some magnets before the whole house got the crud and I once again marveled at what I already have stashed in my craft room. You know how some people have bottled water in case of a disaster/apocalypse? I think I have 5 years worth of craft supplies. I just found a rhinestone setter. (What the?)

These wood disks are nice and thick—they feel very good in my hand. I got them at Michael's. I used glue stick on the wood and pressed them face down onto this cute paper (from Martha's craft line) and then cut around the circle with a x-acto knife. Then I added a coat of diamond glaze on top to make it all shiny. Diamond glaze is sort of a cheater's resin. When that dried (overnight) I glued a magnet on the back using the mighty E6000, and waited 24 hours. The diamond glaze got a few bubbles in it, but they are still stinking cute, huh? I'm not sure how many magnets one needs, but I feel a strong urge to make an excessive amount. I got my diamond glaze at Collage on Alberta here in Portland, which is a craft supply/shop I feel much love for.

Randomly, I am so happy I am making our yogurt again. I am trying homemade sour cream (and homemade buttermilk) this weekend. More on this soon. Ketchup has not been made yet, but I am enjoying talking about making it, and that's 70% of the fun. Pete is a stellar listener. Also, I am baking crackers this weekend, I mean it for reals. In a sick/feverish/over-tired stupor I sewed a sleeve on a wrap dress onto the neck. I'm not joking. Twice. It was a knit, that's my excuse. It was like working with pancake batter. I should have left it on and made a one sleeved/funnel neck wrap dress all insane-style like straight out of The Fifth Element except I'm no Jean-Paul Gaultier, who designed those goofy awesome costumes. Who else would put a blond Bruce Willis in a orange muscle shirt? I have always been pretty obsessed with this movie. The wrap dress has now been fixed (and has no sleeves) but I am so bummed I didn't take photos of it before. Sheer comedy.

 

Comments

[sarah]

ok the dress story made me laugh. and feel better about myself. (sewing has provided me nothing but frustrations at this point)

Those magnets are ADORABLE! I'm going to make myself eleventy-million and a few extra for christmas gifts. ;)

[wroxton]

I tagged you because I want to be like you when I'm a mom.

[Amy]

Ok I am picturing the dress and would love to see it all crzy style!
The Fifth Element is a great movie...loooooooove it. Wanted to name my son Corbin (this was before meeting my hubby) but it doesn't go well with our last name- bummer... especially being pregnant with our first boy!!!

[Hashi]

Even someone like me who refuses to put anything on her fridge loves those magnets. Oh man, I wish I'd seen you in that dress. Crackup.

[inga]

Amy, you make me laugh, and thank you for that, also thank you for letting me on the no-poo subject (2,5 months without one) and I also made the deodorant (I don't think it's working though, but at least it keeps me "stink-free" a bit longer than any other could, now I'm impatiently waiting for your cracker baking recipe (or a link to one), I just hadn't been able to find a one that I like, I guess. So I'm going the easy way here, just waiting for you to post about one :D

[britt-sparkledvintagecharm]

I love them!! so cute!! Isn't Diamond glaze the best stuff ever?! I will have to go to that store in Portland. Maybe I will go today :-)
Have a great day!!! xo Britt :-)

[Aim]

I wish I could'a seen that funnel-neck dress thingy, what a scream! I love that you are making everything from scratch! Homemade yogurt rocks. And I really love your little magnets, thanks for telling me about the diamond glaze--that's a new one on this veteran craft-head!

[Blue Castle]

Those magnets rock! Thank you for sharing how to make them. Now I just have to find some of that resin.

[Linn]

I LOVE the magnets! Great Christmas gift idea. And I commiserate with you on the sleeve of the shirt. Please, do not begin dressing like The Fifth Element. I beg you.

[yngla]

Really cute magnets! I also just love "Fifth element". After reading your post I just have to watch it tonight... And I would love to see that dress :)

[Tamar]

They are soooo adorable! and I can totally identify with the craft supply stock...I swear i can open a shop with what I have...

[Kelly Massey]

Diamond glaze! Must check it out. Resin is so smelly and toxic it scares the poo out of me. Plus I never get it right.

[blair]

you make me laugh like no other, can I just sit you on my desk for when I need to laugh? xo

[Mama Urchin]

I've been thinking of making sour cream too. We eat an excessive amount of it and and it's not cheap.

[katie]

Y2K water or craft supplies? I'm going down craftin'. ;)

Oh! & I love those wood pieces from Michael's, they used to carry them in a bunch of wonderful shapes, but I can't find them any longer.

I made magnets with them, too, and nononono you can never have enough magnets. Now I use my tecre.

I love yours! The colors are just what I need on this tropical storm Hanna day.

[katie]

oops! Here I am!

[Melissa Crowe]

Holy, moly--I love that movie, too. It would be fun to see how many strange, favorite movies we crafty girls have in common.

[Kari]

I love that movie, too! JPG is an amazing designer, but I too, feel that I couldn't ever pull his style off - too avant-garde for me!

Great magnets, such an easy-peasy project!

[SarahHub @ Oakbriar Farm]

REALLY stinking cute! I might try them with a picture of my daughter under resin!

Hope you're feeling all better soon!

[jennifer]

Oh my! I can't believe I just discovered your blog after all this time! Great book too! I checked it out from the library a long time ago and love it! Oh, and the golden syrup you wrote about a while back...I grew up putting that on pancakes! It's divine! :)

[Kim]

Oh I love those magnets! SO cute! And the sleeve?? Sheer hilarity! I can see myself doing something like that, using "it's a knit" as the excuse also! ;)

[Leslie]

super duper cute magnets. I want to try, for sure. Yeah, every household need lots of magnets. Great gift idea, too.

[Angel Funk]

I am going to admit a mild obsession with Fifth Element too. Chris Tucker is hilarious. Milla Jovovich is such a beautiful bad ass. Even Bruce Willis is bearable in it. I think I've seen it at least half a dozen times on a Saturday afternoon when there is nothing else on our three channels of TV.

[Venus de Hilo]

OMG, I'm so happy to hear I'm not the only one who:
a) spends way too much time with seam ripper in hand, swearing and banging head on sewing table
b) loves the 5th Element! (hubbie rolls eyes every time I go, "hey, guess what's on cable tonight, wanna watch it again?")

[Rachelle]

If you love JPG costumes have you watched The Cook, The Thief His wife & her Lover...Fab costumes and sets,different colours for different rooms...bit of a strange film though if you can stomach it!

[Vonnie]

Lovely magnets!

[Amy]

Those magnets are so sweet! I want to make some too now. Crafty awesomeness.

I'd love to read more about your yogurt adventures. I received a yogurt maker one Christmas and failed hugely on my first and only attempt. :(

[anina]

Those are so cute! Where did you get your magnets? I haven't been able to find really strong ones.

[coffeechris]

The dress line is too funny - I know I have done worse 2times as well. You are gonna share yogurt, sour cream and buttermilk recipes right? I also saw homemade cottage cheese thinking of it mmmmmm.

[Nicole]

Super cute magnets! Love 'em!

Um, fall is coming. A funnel neck dress would work for the season.

We are obsessed with the Fifth Element at our house! My husband always quotes it. He would love to wear a bright orange Corbin Dallas muscle shirt.

[White Feather]

This are so cute! Goes along with the Scrabble tile pendants...same principle, eh? Oh, and contrats on the blurb in Sew News magazine! I was excited when I got my issue this week....your name in there made it seem really cozy, since I read your blog every day.

[White Feather]

Oh darn...."these," not "this" :-(

[emily]

You and your dress are adorable. The funnel neck would've been badass, you can rock it with your felted steam-punk sweater that you're gonna make.

If you happen to make cheese again, along with you know...crackers, yogurt, and sour cream, remember this: Save the whey to put in soups and such!

[Tami B.]

Super-sweet magnets! And, I'm with ya on the craft supplies...I never thought of the disaster angle, that's a good one. We could have a crafting marathon at any given moment :)

[Kristy]

These are so so cute! I just finished the Swing Swing Smock from your delightful book and I think I might actually, gasp, learn to be a sewer. Thanks for the inspiration!

Also, it was impossible for me to find Diamond Glaze here in Denver but there's this other stuff at a scrapbooking store called Glossy Accents that works the same way. Just in case anyone else was having trouble.

[Kristy]

Oops, the stuff is called Glossy Accents, not the store. :)

[Jemma]

Yay! I just found a strip of adhesive magnet tape and was wondering what the hell to do with it...now I know :)

I adore the Fifth Element! Every time I see it I want to look like LeeLoo!

[Rowena]

Oh dear, a whole load of crafty 5th element fanciers. We should start a club. Love the post, just got your book for a birthday present, and although I would class myself in the 'competent sewer' dept. really enjoyed it, and loved the designs. Your magnets are cute too!

[Shaina]

Oh my gosh, Collage is the best ever. I could spend so much money in that store. (And have, which is probably why my craft stash resembles yours...)

[Jessica]

I say you can never have enough magnets

[dotty]

Awe they are super cute!!!

[Briana]

Nice. I made about a gazillion of these a couple of years ago with flat marbles. They are still all sitting in a drawer up by my sewing table... waiting for something to hold on the fridge. Maybe one of these days I ought to give some away. Yours are cute.

[jackie]

Could probably top your 5 years worth of craft supplies with at least enough for 7 years - it's ridiculous. But the magnets - genius!

[Nancy Cook]

okay that makes me feel a little less bad about the fact i have to seam rip my hem on the skirt for the third time.
i mean seriously, a hem!
then there is the fact that i started to rip out the waistband once thinking it was the bottom hem.
oh my
well anyway cute magnets and layer the dress. a long sleeve tee should help it,
go crazy with your crackers! i'm sure they will be good.
your enthusiasm is amazing

[celia]

Is it me the one you're talking about the water and the apocalypse??? I think I do have a rhinestone setter too!, lol...

[Grumpykitty]

LOL! I'm completely obsessed with that movie too. I love the opera scene..how creepily beautiful. I dig knits so much, but man they can be tricky when it's an adult outfit I'm sewing. Amy, once again I'm blown by your craftiness and darn it make those crackers cause I have 3 recipes for them I keep meaning to try.

[erinn Johnson]

Love the magnets. They would be perfect for teacher gifts.

[Bev]

Had to laugh at the dress story. Reminds me of the time I sewed a quilt sleeve on an entry to a quilt show at the last minute (of course) and it on the wrong end so the quilt hung upside down...and it won! Oh, well, we love your blog and put it on our favorite blogs list!

Cheery wave from
Camille
http://comfycollars.blogspot.com

[Bev]

Had to laugh at the dress story. Reminds me of the time I sewed a quilt sleeve on an entry to a quilt show at the last minute (of course) and it on the wrong end so the quilt hung upside down...and it won! Oh, well, we love your blog and put it on our favorite blogs list!

Cheery wave from
Camille
http://comfycollars.blogspot.com

[Holly]

Hehe, you just made my morning with a much-needed chuckle, thank you! The first shirt I ever made (and it was a doll shirt too so it's on the easy side of things) I sewed the arm to the neckhole a few times too. I think we should start a trend!

~Holly
Two Cheese Please

[Emma]

They are gorgeous magnets! I had never heard of diamond glaze, thanks for the tip ;)

[Jennifer Panza]

Awesome magnets. Fun to make too. I made up a bunch one year for Christmas. I guess people liked them, because now when I'm over for a visit it makes me smile to see them hanging. I put mine into groups and made cute little cards to display them. Made for some fun.

Keep blogging. I've been reading for over 8 months and just love it.

You got me to even change deodorant a few months back. I can't say that I made my own, but it really got me thinking and researching. I ended up buying some Tom's it works "good enough." Especially for an American that showers daily. :)

[hannah]

the fifth element is one of my secret movie indulgences. i need more yogurt talk. do you do the machine?

[Kari]

You crack me up. My daughter asked me to repair some Barbie clothes today and somehow I reattached the skirt to the neck hole. "Now that can't be right," I say scratching my head. PS - The ruby slippers are in the mail.

[Wendy]

Oh, those are adorable. They'd be perfect to use on the magnetic display strip that I made for all my daughter's artwork. I've never heard of diamond glaze, but it sounds awesome.

Hope it all works out with the crackers and various dairy experiments. My man and I tried mozzarella for the 3rd (!) time last weekend and it still didn't come out right (from Kingsolver's Animal Vegetable Mineral). We even bought special nonhomogenized milk. Grrr. Maybe we should scale our attempts back to yogurt and sour cream.

Also, I once managed to sew a sleeve on so that it was like a mobius strip. No clue how I did that. That's pretty much the extent of my clothes sewing.

[jennifer]

Super cute magnets. Thanks for idea of the Diamond Glaze, it has my creative juices flowing. I was thinking about coating some of my paintings with resin but Diamond Glaze might be another way to go. Again, thanks. Visit me at www.jenniferlorton.com, or http://blog.jenniferlorton.com, if you have the chance.

[justJENN]

I LOVE that movie. And I too could craft my way out of the apocalypse.

[Joanna]

Yummy. I miss magnets. Our fridge is not magnetic... SIGH. Those are sweet and I'm so tempted to make some.

[Penny]

these are very cute! Your post was making me laugh because as you were talking about your neverending craft supplies and then listed off what is needed to make these, I checked off each needed item in my head. I have them all and have never used the disks or diamond glaze. I think it's time to actually start acting on all those great ideas I've had as I collected all the supplies I have!

[Amanda Formaro]

Those magnets are just adorable and give me so many ideas! Thanks!

[May]

I love this blog! Great magnet buttons. I'm going to have to try to make them myself.

[Amanda]

Well hey, if you get too carried away, you could always, you know, send some of those magnets my way. :)

Too cute!

[The Mommy]

Ok, it's official - I love you. Anyone who prepares for the end of the world with craft supplies, admits freely to sewing foibles, and also loves The Fifth Element??? You are my hero.

[Julie]

Oh, too funny about attaching the sleeve into the neckline! Made me laugh. In a similar tired state, I once installed a zipper to the bottom of the skirt I was making instead of the waistline.

I love your magnets. One can never have too many cute magnets and the holidays are coming up pretty soon--great gift idea. Thanks for the directions.

I love Diamond Glaze. An occasional bubble just proves it's handmade. :)

[lissilulu]

Amy you are too funny! I have a couple of sick kids right now and if they did things like you I would be rolling.
Thanks for the idea on the magnets...is the clear topping stuff good for kids to make magnets do ya think?

Glad you are feeling better.
Also, I used to make yogurt when we got raw milk and havent tried it with store milk...what kind do you use (as in whole, 2%?)
Thanks!!
Lori

[kat]

one can never have too many magnets. about 5 years ago i went insane with making dragon-tear magnets, & our fridge is nearly covered in those we didn't give as gifts.

why had i never heard of 'diamond glaze' before now? i must have some! today! thank you for adding to my must-have list.

[Lisa lynch]

Those are absolutely adorable! Great idea!

[Wendy]

OK, I thought I was the only one who gasped when The Fifth Element showed up on the cable guide! My whole family runs for cover and I settle in with the doggie for a nice long RELAX on the couch. Not long after, usually once RubyRod shows up, the dog bolts for the nether regions of the house. Anyway, I think it is a wonderful fashion trend, and so EASY too!!! Just take 10 yards of 6 inch wide ribbon and...and very lenient on the whole directions thingy. Take some piece and sew it, well, sew it anywhere it fits... It'll work, truuuuust me!

[Spare Ribbon]

These magnets are verry cute. I can atest to that because I am a teacher! :)

[lia]

omigosh...I was just looking at buying a button machine to make buttons with some of my little art bits, but this is simply fantastic! looks like they would be super sturdy and wicked fun to make!! you are brilliant!!

[lia]

p.s. I love diamond glaze too! I use it on top of handmade photo charms. it's such good stuff.

[Stephanie Kevy]

Hi Amy,

Shanna Murray just named you as one of her big inspirations in her interview on my blog and I just wanted to let you know :)

I am happy to know that I am not the only art materials junkie out there with shelves full of absurd things!

[Kay Robinson]

Oooh, I love this movie too. First let me say I have your book and I love love love it. Now, not only do I love this movie, but my three kids love it too. We first had the vhs of it and it stayed in regular rotation, so we wore it out and had to replace it with a dvd...LeluDallasmultipass...muuultipass..yeah yeah she knows its a multipass. Love your blog too.

[Tiffani]

So funny! And I can totally relate to the apocalyptic craft/sewing/scrapbooking supply. And now the younger generation around here is accumulating their own collection...
Sewing can be such an adventure, can't it? I made my son a shirt with all the airplanes flying upside down one time.

[Sue]

That dress story is very funny! I could just picture it....have done similar things.
The magnets are cute and a great gift idea.
...and yes, me and my hubby love the 5th element as well.Who knew that so many people like that movie... :0)

Great blog!

[Fer]

Aw wow, should've kept the dress as is!

JPG did the costumes for the Fifth Element? Didn't know that but makes sense - love that film!

The magnets rock. :)

[Ansley]

love the magnets...you can never have too many!

[amy k.]

thanks all!
and for the yogurt, I am using whole milk form straus farms-not raw, but close, if you know what I mean.

[Chooks'r'us]

A rhinestone setter???!!! In Australia they were called a Bedazzler and do you think you can find them in op shops? Strangely, it seems to be one of those crafty things no one wants to let go of - I wonder why?! I think you need to make sure is still works and show us - maybe a lovely line of rhinestones around the neck of your new frock?? just kidding...I think.

[Darcy]

I was just in Portland from Atlanta for Labor Day weekend - we went to many cool places but Collage was by far my Favorite! I won't even tell you how much money I spent in there but it was all worth it. My only sadness is not havimng such a cool shop here.

[Tonya]

You just inspired me. I'm off to Michaels.

My twins have an absolute facsination with magnetic letters but I cannot stand those horrible plastic things you buy to stick on the refrigerator. I'm going to purchase wooden letters. I have tons of scrapaper and all I need is your magical diamond glaze and I'm set.

Thank you so much for the inspiration

[leah]

yogurt oh yeah. i have been making it each week for about a month now. so easy. don't know why i ever bought it. and... my milk gets delivered and i almost always have a quart leftover by the time a new gallon arrives. it feels good doesn't it?

[meg]

your dress story cracked me up. :) so reminds me of things i have done. cute magnets!!

[Tammy]

I'm cracking up. Just 5 years of craft supplies?! You will be glamorous in the apocalypse at least with your rhinestones.

[meghan]

Hi.

Long time reader, first time commenter. Tell me more about the yogurt!

[cathy]

Did you end up making crackers?

My young daughter and I made crackers this weekend -- from Peter Reinhart's book on whole grains. We made the seeded crackers. Making them was fun. My daughter really loves them, and they're loaded with protein from the seeds (ground in the dough and whole on top).

Share your recipe? We're on a roll over here on crackers.

[erin]

UGGGGHHHHH as soon as i saw this i had to get in the truck and go to michaels and buy that paper. it was like i had no choice. i am powerless to teh cuteness.

[Anna B]

I understand completely about sewing the sleeve to the neck and doing it twice. Gave me a smile and a laugh in what has been a grey kind of day. thanks very much and I love reading your blog, it has inspired me a lot.

Thanks
Anna B

[Anne]

Too funny! Glad your dress worked out. Speaking of yogurt, my daughter and I were in France recently, and we ate the best-tasting yogurt. It came in terra cotta pots, which I kept in hopes of making yogurt in them.

I love the Fifth Element. I bought the soundtrack. I am obsessed with the blue lady!

BTW, I just read this post out loud to my husband and daughter. They loved it!

[Jessica Levitt]

The magnets are adorable. I'm going to have to try some.

I LOVE The Fifth Element. Another "bad" Bruce Willis movie I can't get enough of. Have you seen Hudson Hawk? But I really dig the costumes in 5th Element. One of my favs...

[Kirsten]

I love that movie too! One of my favorites.

[kelly]

love the magnets & i can't wait to see with what you come up for the rhinestone setter. i seriously want a bedazzler, so i'm totally jealou!

[erinay]

oh boy, laughing so out loud about the dress arm neck mishap... wow! that is a good story. I love everything about it! I bought one at american apparel, but it's ice-skater outfit short, so it's a long shirt in my world.

cute magnets! love the diamond stuff... i've used glass beads, but not lovin it. somehow my magnets go missing so fast, so, no, I can't have enough. I think they have a sanctuary in the scary space under my fridge, where they are safely nestled in a warm, cozy pad of dust and other stuff. Safe from kids and cats, in a place they know I will never go to find them. I have seen the alphabet letters actually move on their own to that place. e

[Andrea Larsen]

You are funny! NO wonder everyone loves you, well after the bit about the 5 yrs of craft storage, ketchup making, and sleeve sewing, I love you too!!! How can I resist?

[kristen]

I had to laugh at the H2O vs. craft supply comment you made. I find myself in the same situation. But hey, if the time comes...we can rely on the good ol' bartering system. Water for the "can't live without" handcrafted this or that! lol
Happy Day!

[Nicole]

Hehe... "You know how some people have bottled water in case of a disaster/apocalypse? I think I have 5 years worth of craft supplies." SO funny & so true at my house too. :)

[Jenny L]

I love these! I made them and posted them on my blog with a link to your blog. They were so easy and fun to make.

[fidget]

i smell a holiday craft cooking!! I was just looking at my fridge thinking it needed SOMETHING. It's cuteness quotient has dropped to like a 2

[Joanna]

Bruce Willis is so hot in that movie!

[kris]

I'm in love with your magnets! And that paper too! You can never have too many magnets of course! How fun!