Don’t try this at home! Actually, it was pretty fun screenprinting this lampshade, but it was also a challenge. White Plastisol ink is very thick and difficult to push through the screen, even when using a coarser mesh. I got the pattern repeat tweaked in Photoshop and very carefully registered the fabric each time it was printed. Overall I like the effect. Read the rest of this entry »
I built this mini bike using an Azusa kit and a Predator 212 engine. I don’t think I’ll ever buy another Azusa frame set. As someone who used to weld and fabricate for a living I think I can objectively say that the build quality on the frame is not great. Sure, the welds are strong and I have no concerns about it breaking. But the engine plate wasn’t square with the frame, the pin for the fork on the drum brake had to be cut down because collided with the sprocket, and the head tube for the fork had distorted from welding and I had to ream it out just to get the bolt through. Weld spatter and burrs are not a big deal but the structural problems were disappointing. I made it work though.
The design theme is a tribute to my father. I have never known anyone who is such a hard core DIYer as my Dad, except for his father, and my younger brother. From cars to houses to furniture and art projects. Dad just goes for it. Actually, my Mom is the same way. So I got the “do it” gene from both sides.
Various custom touches are detailed below. This video also lets you hear how the Predator engine with a straight header sounds. No wheelies were performed in this video. But this little scooter will pull the wheel up with ease. The first time I rode it the front wheel was a foot in the air before I noticed. Hang on. Read the rest of this entry »
Christmas Card 2013 – House Diorama (Click it to see it bigger at Flickr.)
In 2012 we couldn’t get a card done in time. Our dog had just died and Paris was away at college. The motivation and planning didn’t come together. But this year we’re back! Mary had the idea of a diorama and we decided to make one of our house decorated for Christmas.
Roof – We cut up some extra shingles from the new roof we got this year.
Bricks – We took photos of the different bricks, printed them life size, and cut them up.
Windows – Mary cut out the windows and trim, using colors similar to the house. We tried to keep the whole thing slightly cartoonish and handmade-looking.
Bushes – Those are made of leaves from the actual holly bushes we have. Dangerous work hot gluing those together!
Christmas tree – My grandmother made that ceramic tree a long time ago.
Wreath and “lights” – Mary strung up some beads to make lights and made the wreath from green pipe cleaners.
Gravel – Straight from the driveway. Not exactly correct but a lot easier than making grass and a sidewalk.
Finally, each family member made his or her “self.”
We started with a piece of foam core cut out for the house and glued the bricks and other parts to it. Then we backed with a piece of drywall also cut to the shape. Then put the whole thing on a large square of drywall so we could light it from behind and have the Christmas tree “inside.” We put pieces of colored paper behind the windows to create the appearance of rooms. The photos below show the set up.
As usual, these cards end up being a lot more work than we expect. But I don’t regret one minute spent working with my family to make something for ourselves, and other family and friends.
Christmas Card 2011 – Gingerbread People (Click it to see it bigger at Flickr.)
This year instead of using our bodies to make something we decided to use something to make our bodies. Gingerbread is the obvious seasonal choice for a medium. Yes, they/we taste good too…
Christmas card 2011 back photo
On the inside we decided to do a Sigler version of Mad Libs. Sorry Mad Libs for using your logo. Consider it free advertising. Mad Libs are fun and this idea gets out of long handwritten notes on every card. Nobody else seems to do that anyhow. Click the images for a closer view.
Detail of patch pocket. Two rows of topstitching for looks and avoiding slip stitching.
Mary has just started her new blog for sewing and all things related to fabric and fiber. In addition to posting projects there will be all sorts of tips and how-to stuff, and a lot of it will be in video form.
The blog design work hasn’t been done yet, but she’s not letting that stop her. I’ll feature some of the projects here too.
That’s how we do it. Hey! I just made a Facebook page for this blog. Please click the “Like” button over there on the right.
We just got the cards delivered yesterday. I normally wait until we have them mailed before I post about the latest card, but since some folks may not get theirs before Christmas I thought I would share it now.
As you can see in the video our dog Mika was determined to be part of the action. So, for the first time in his eight years we have included him.
And speaking of being included, if you’re not on our list just let me know and we will correct that.
Talk about DIY! OK, I will. This is my long lost cousin (probably) Terri Sigler. Not only has she learned the complex art of glass blowing she has managed to build her own studio completely from scratch. And from scratch includes her skill set. She had to research how to design it, then learn the various trades to construct it, from welding to electrical.
In the video above she and an intern are making Christmas ornaments at a recent studio open house. In the video below takes us on a tour of the glass blowing shop she built.
We stopped by an open studio/holiday sale to see our friends Judith and Terri in action. Judith’s specialty is bookmaking, and she also repairs old books. People want this type of high level craft in their lives. Look how popular the the DodoCase for the iPad has become. Now, if only Judith had something I could link to… We gotta get her goods online!
Cleaning out some “filed” emails I came across this one from almost three years ago. Better than late than never I’m posting another project by my Mom. In her own words:
Hi Tracy,
When I was talking to you about making the jean purse and items for Paris and Mars, I mentioned that I had also picked up a pair of embroidered jeans that I was going to make something out of for Ally for Christmas. I finally got around to finishing it up this morning, so as you said to do – I took a picture. Read the rest of this entry »
That’s my dad! Usually the dude is busy doing things for other people, but once in a while he cranks out a project for himself. He makes it seem easy to make this copper sunflowers sculpture, and for him it probably was. He’s got the gear, and the skills. Dad used a nibbler to cut everything out but you can definitely use a bandsaw with the right blade or maybe even a jigsaw. Snips? I doubt it, with copper this thick. Once he had all the pieces fabbed up he used an oxy-acetylene torch to braze everything together.
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