odds and ends

I'm in the middle of about three big projects right now, but I've finished several odds and ends.

My friend was less than impressed with the cloak I made for her and after some thought, I eventually got over my pride and re-did it. I still like the effect of the yellow and black, but she's right, it's simply not her.

This cloak is very simple, a straight back, no sleeves, straight front, sewn only a few inches on either side and a hood, yellow tulle over black broadcloth, but it will look better on my friend than the flashier yellow poncho. She was right, that was more me than her. :)






I hate sewing buttons on. I haven't nothing personal against buttons, in fact I rather fancy them, but I hate sewing them on and I have tried multiple ways of getting out of using them the way the maker intended. I think I might have finally hit on a possibility. I found some tie-tack backs at the craft store and a little lightbulb went on. :) I made all the cloak pins this way, hot-gluing buttons onto tie-tack backs and if they work, several of my costumes will also be getting the hot-glue button treatment.



I was rustling through my button collection (I tend to buy them, even though I'm not real fond of them) and found some great goldish-brass looking buttons with NSEW written on them, which works out perfectly with the necklace I have already made to wear to the last HP movie, there on the right. It's kismet. :)




And finally, a belated birthday gift for a friend. I'm usually thumbs at remembering birthdays, but I am trying to at least remember the correct month, if not season. :)

My friend - she of the Hufflepuff cloak - got me a book of cross-stitch designs called "Subversive Cross Stitch", where the messages tend to fall more in line with my own caustic, abrasive personality than normal. In revenge - or thanks - I made her a set for her birthday.




I looked around and simply could not find any frames that I liked, so I got creative. :) I found some cheap cardboard mattes at the craft store and then some scrapbooking stickers for decoration. I thought they turned out rather cute, especially since the cute little stickers rather clash with the messages.