Sometimes Time flies

I haven't written in a long time. Sorry.

I'm in my last semester as a grad student at WVU and working three jobs. While applying for a real job/career post-graduation in early May I've had very little time for being crafty. Christmas I was snowed in and didn't get home until days after I had planned to leave, but we created a makeshift tree from the dressform nicknamed BB and my green apron. One string of holiday lights and we were set - what's more "in the spirit" than this?And it's "green" too! No need to store a big artificial tree or chop one down. It's a space saver (esp. in my small apartment) to think outside the box.Recently I decided that, since I'm going to have to move soon and I don't know where or when, I'd like to complete some of my potential projects that I have lying around. This way I don't end up moving two huge boxes of corks and an empty frame, but instead move a corkboard. It only took two nights and felt very worth it. I had been thinking about it forever, and in a world where I have no idea what's coming next it is nice to have something I could control for once.This isn't the best photo, maybe I'll replace it later, but you can probably tell it's a bit large. I used it to hide a box of guinea pig snacks that is underneath a low lying corner table for a while. It was nice on the floor. I'm trying it out over the sink for now, but since I'll be boxing everything up in a month it's probably best not to make new holes in the wall. I think the dark frame looks nice around those light corks.


Any suggestions for what I ought to do if no jobs come through before my lease it up? I'd love a house boat or a neat Airstream <3

Framing your board

Back in action! I've been slacking on the blog, but in my defense I am having a VERY busy year. I am currently teaching, waiting tables and attempting to put together a thesis that's worth something.

But with Christmas fast approaching I know I need to get back in touch with my more hands-on creative side, especially since I lack the funds necessary to purchase gifts worth gifting. Previously I've offered suggestions for ways to frame your corkboards, but I don't think I mentioned the cheap and easy way to provide a really "polished" product. That, my friend, is buying an empty frame. Duh. Accessory and home stores often will sell frames for more than half off if the glass from them has been cracked while on display. This is perfect, since you don't want frames with glass. Also, some craft stores will sell empty frames and you can create your own backing pretty cheaply with a lightweight board. I found this beauty at Michael's and I think it's going to be lovely when I find the time to cut the corks to fill it.
Also, if you have a marrow space, or want one that's more dynamic in your space (I always imagine them in kitchens, although mine is on my office desk) create one that's long and skinny. This one's only 2 corks wide and it's 19 long. It'd look really smart above a sink or on an awkward partition wall. AND - it doesn't have a frame, for those of you who want to make the easiest version possible.
Hope you're well and more productive than I am these days.

Finally done

Since the semester has finally come to an end I can finish all the little things I had started that just stayed lying around the house. It feels good.

Ta da:This board has been mailed to my brother and his wife as a sort of happy birthday/belated housewarming gift.

I got the lattice border from Micheal's (it was easy to cut with a thin knife) and painted it to (sort of) match the ribbon. i drilled two holes, 4 and 6 inches in from the border for symmetry and hung it with a sweet little messy bow. i love this one and might make another for myself. They just take SO long to get a decent variety of corks for. Never throw your corks away!

To commence shortly: a quilt, another corkboard, the organization of my life. But first, a trip. Nine days until I leave for London. Hurray. :)

In the little free time I have...

Working two jobs is a drag - but the good news is I have access to more corks then I would have if I simply saved my own. I am inspired to work on new cork projects.

This first is a wreath. I'm only using those corks that aren't really made of cork - you know the ones, they're like spongy plastic - and I am screwing eyelet screws into each of them and using the same wire I use for the wine bottle lamps to string them circularly (since I know that will definately hold its shape). That was probably not worded as well as it should have been , let's hope pictures ARE worth a thousand words. I'll add more soon. The problem with this project is simple though: it takes forever! Even getting ten or so corks a week it is becoming such a slow process. The wreath is tiny with fifty or so already strung, and my apartment is so small it just sits there on my desk, mocking me.

The second project is a new corkboard. This one is going to be a little different than the last one I showed you though. The board is the same rectangular shape (because I REALLY like it), but the border or "framing" will be done differently. Instead of just staining something decorative, I've chosen a lace-like pattern, one with large carvings, and I will paint the board green behind the stained border, in order to give it a little more contrast. Since this border is wider than the first, I'll just use it on the shorter sides and have the corks go to the edge on the long ends. I'm not saying length-wise and width-wise because I'm hoping this will look great both ways.

This one is a house-warming present for my brother and his wife. They're moving and I felt that merited the time and effort that go in to making another one of these. It's time-consuming too.

K, I'm done talking about THIS now. <3 Take care.

Corkboard Update

FYI: I had to use rubber cement to make the corkboard stronger; it was becoming a little rickety. And I think it's because hot glue guns suck (as I'm finding out). The glue comes out in lines that cool too quickly, while rubber cement fills the cracks better. If I make another one I'll probably try rubber cement first.

Plus, the hot glue was the culprit for the falling photo, so I haven't had the best year with it.

Fifteen days later...

I am having the busiest month but I've still had time to be crafty so I thought I'd update. Midterm grades are in, the apartment is clean, the car is vacuumed out, and I was paid yesterday - so the fridge finally has food in it. ;) I gave a reading tonight and feel super charged so here we go!

--I went around sticking felt snowflakes to the bottoms of decorative candle holders and vases that tend to scratch tabletops. They sell felt circles (at craft stores) for this purpose but these were on sale and I thought they'll be hilarious whenever visitors accidentally notice them:


--I carved a pumpkin for the first time, ha.

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--I "borrowed" a chair from WVU that was wasting away in a basement. I think it's from the 60's or 70's and it reminds me very much of grade school. I tightened the washers underneath, sanded off the old stain and painted it white after taping off the seat - the original vinyl seat color is what drew me to the thing in the first place. Now it's fabulous!

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--AND - I finally finished the "cork"board! Yay. (Thanks to: a bandsaw to cut the border, knife to cut the corks - be careful - stain to keep it pretty, hot glue gun to stick them to the backing and wooden wine stoppers as the decorative corners.)


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Things I am working on that make me happy.

Things I am working on that make me happy:


Like the green pepper I grew on my struggling porch plant -



And Penni, she's still not really a "people piggie" but she's sweet and coming around ;)



A painting - it is definitely a work in progress, but it's fun to try.



A corkboard is underway!





AND, a collage of places and images that inspire me...


Happy October!