CRAFTY VISIONS
NEWSLETTER
Volume 1 Issue 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ December 1996
INTERNET VISIONS COMPANY
Arts & Crafts Central - Crafty Links System
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tip$ and Idea$ for Christmas ~~ Special ~~
Quick and Ea$y Christmas Craft$ ~~ Special ~~
Letter From Laurieann
THANK YOU so much for all your wonderful comments! I would like to share a few with you:
We all strived hard to make CRAFTY VISIONS NEWSLETTER appeal to crafters in different mediums, and are so happy that you like what we have done! We now have over 2,000 subscribers!!!!!
Christmas is an exciting and fun time of year for crafting. We have LOTS of wonderful projects for you in this issue. Enjoy, and may God bless you this holiday season.
Sincerely,
laurieann@ivisions.com
PS
If you want a condensed copy of this newsletter e-mailed to you, send a request to cvdecember96@wwvisions.com.
And, if you have not subscribed to this
newsletter, please fill out our
on-line subscribe form as check out our November issue.
SEASONAL CRAFTS 
CHRISTMAS
Wash and dry the mug well. Following instructions on the DecoArt Enamel bottle, personalize and add design of your choice. Following decoration cure, bake and allow to stand the recommended time before filling. Place small amount of paper shred or square of tissue into the mug. Fill mug with individual packages of flavored coffees, tea, hot chocolate, individually wrapped cookie or cake treat, one or two Chocolate Spoons, a Canedeer and a small gift. Place the filled cup in the center of a square of cellophane or plastic wrap, equal to the diameter plus twice the height of the tallest item plus 2 1/2". Gather the four corners together and tie catching all sides slightly above the tallest item in the mug. Trim (see tip) with bow, gift tag, and decoration.
This decoration can be made as a wall hanging or centerpiece in the shape of a tree or wreath. It can be used as decoration and provide party favors guests can take home with them. Number of individual pins depend on number of guests expected but it is always good to have a few extra made for unexpected guests. As an option they can be used as napkin rings.
Using the grapevine wreath as a base embellish using collected items as you like. Each one can be decorated with a bow and a charm or 3 yo-yos and a decorative button, etc. They do look best with odd numbers and simpler is better than crowded. Apply the pin back to the center top back side of the decorated wreath with a glue gun. When you have finished the number of wreath pins you will need take 6" pieces of curling ribbon (can be all one color or several colors) and tie them together to form a large wreath or Christmas tree shape. This can then be hung or used as a centerpiece. Each guest can remove a wreath pin, to take home with them, with a small pair of scissors tied to the top of the arrangement. Tie scissors with a piece of curling ribbon that is long enough to reach the farthest point.
WALL HANGING
For the wreath wall hanging, make a circle of the individual pins with a ribbon bow tied between each wreath. Add the second row placing an individual wreath in each space between the ones in the first ring. Tie each to the individual ring next to it at 3:00 o'clock and 9:00 o'clock as well as the two at 7:00 o'clock and 5:00 o'clock below it.
For the tree wall hanging, begin at the top with one individual wreath, tie two wreaths below to form the second row, three wreaths in the third row and continue with as many as you need. You are tying with the curling ribbon and curling the ribbon so it can be clipped apart as the guest leaves.
TREE CENTERPIECE
Stand each individual wreath on edge and tie them in a ring, building one ring on top of the other, each successive ring with one less individual wreath in it so you build a cone.
From a brown grocery bag, cut a strip 11" x 4 1/2". Starting at one end, measure up 2 1/2" four times and draw lines (see diagram). The portion left will be a glue flap. Crease at each line. Make a cut 1 1/4" up at each crease. Fold down 3/4" at opposite edge to inside and glue. Fold up bottom sections, make into box shape and glue flap and bottom. Set aside........
Place fleece between two pieces of brown paper bag and trace bear pattern and a square 2 1/2" x 2 1/2". With red thread and a medium to long stitch length, sew on the traced lines through all thicknesses. Cut out both pieces with pinking shears 1/4" from stitching. Glue square on the section with the flap. Be sure the cut edge is even with the bottom of the box. Glue the bear to the opposite side. Cut a wire 12" long and twist/wrap with 1/4" red ribbon. Secure each end with hot glue. Attach "handle" to inside of basket at the middle.
Make a bow and place it on the front of the bear.
Cut one sheet of red or green tissue paper in half and stick it in the little "box" loosely. Fill with wrapped candies and a small candy cane. Tie a bow at the top of the handle.
Abbreviations: ch-chain, sc-single crochet, dc-double crochet, hdc-half double crochet, trc-treble crochet, sl st-slip stitch.
With pink, ch 4, join. Ch 3, and 7 dc in ring. Tie off. With white yarn sl st into ring, ch 4, and 7 trc in ring. 2 sc in each pink dc (8 sets). Sc in top of ch 4, ch 3, sc in next trc. Ch 2 sc in next 7 trc. Ch 4, turn over. Sc in next loop. Ch 3, sc in next 7 loops. Tie off. With back side facing join red yarn in 6th sc, ch 2, hdc in 6 sc. Ch 1turn, sc in first hdc, hdc in next hdc, dc in next hdc, 2 dc in next hdc, 3 dc in next hdc. Tie off. Glue small pom pom or tiny gold bell on hat corner. Glue little eyes on pink yarn with red sequin for nose in center. Cut a small mouth from red felt and glue on top of white yarn.
When I was a little girl, I remember my Grama Baumann with these wonderful little books full of everything from crochet and knitting - to foods - to plants.....they were called "Workbaskets". When my grama passed away, I was the "lucky" one chosen to receive her collection of these wonderful little book that range from 1953 to 1973. Half of them, my grama had even bound and covered with gingham cloth. They are a treasure to me and I would like to share a few things from the December 1955 issue:
Cut the 3 pieces of ribbon with a point on each end. Gather in the middle of 1st piece and wrap wire around tightly. Gather in second piece and wrap wire around making sure that the first one is not directly on top of the second. Do the same for the third one and you have a poinsettia. I like putting gold glitter paint on the edges to add sparkle.
Put these around candles and make a swag with larger ones.
Paint the foam ball flesh colored drawing features with marker or paint. Add beard, mustache and hair using tacky glue in a ring leaving a bald top. Set aside to dry. Form a tube of fabric or paper long enough to go around the jar 3/4 of the way and stick out at least 1 1/2" on each side at the front *(see diagram). Place chenille stem inside tube using small amount of glue to hold in place. Glue across the back at the shoulder of the jar. Gather fabric or paper slightly gluing around the neck of the jar with a slit on each side to allow the arms to show. Tie rope or trim at waist level for a belt. Cut a 2" long curved blade shape on the fold from the heavy duty aluminum foil or pan. Apply glue to one side of the aluminum and fold around the stick to form the scythe. Place in the hand by folding the end of the chenille stem around the stick with the end resting on the ground and the blade slightly over the shoulder. Apply Tack-it Over and Over glue to the top edge and slightly inside the rim. Allow to dry 24 hours.Fill jar with individually wrapped candy and set the head in place. Head can be removed and will re-stick each time allowing you to get the candy and let him still keep his head.
CRAFTY TIPS
How often have you said "There must be an easier way !"? Well, now there is. In this feature, our contributing crafters share some of their secrets with you.
When preparing a Gift Mug pull the wrap up and gather just above the
tallest item in the mug, tie and cut 2 diagonals as
shown in diagram. This will allow the wrap to fan evenly and presents a
more professional looking arrangement.
We have found that hemostats are disposible items in hospital delivery rooms. "CRAFT-y" nurses have been requesting them for friends - big saving.
Discovered,too, that stuffing bought at FedCo stays in the corners better than that bought at Cloth World or Michaels. Our FedCo is in Orange County California.
If you do not have fabric paint in all the needed colors to seal the edges of an applique you can use "OK To Wash It Glue". It will seal the edges and is washable
by Bluebonnet Crafters
After college, Cynthia attended graduate school where she obtained her PHD in Environmental Sciences and Engineering. She was employed as a marketing consultant and traveled extensively in Europe and Asia until 1981. At that time she was involved in a very serious automobile accident. After a long convalescence when she was unable to continue in her former career a new element entered her life, CRAFTING. In 1993 Cynthia left the bustle of city life and moved to the Lake Tawakoni area. She now is able to pursue her crafting and designing in the peace and quiet overlooking the shores of Lake Tawakoni.
Keeping her company is Toby, a Japanese Snow Macaque (monkey). After socialization and training Toby will be a certified helping hands for the handicapped.
Although Cynthia enjoys a wide range of fabric crafts, her major focus is miniature Teddy Bears, both collecting and making them. She has studied with many Teddy Bear artisans, learning to make the tiny bears. Over time she became involved in designing her own bears and has had patterns published in national Bear and Craft magazines. Using the name Eklektika Designs, Cynthia has designed a fully jointed l" tall Teddy Bear, an open mouthed bear under 2 1/2" tall and her own interpretation of famous character bears and animals. Collecters can see Cynthia's miniature bears at The Teddy Bear Depot in Valley View Mall, Dallas, TX. Her bears are also sold through mail order, shows and local galleries.
Recently she has begun designing larger bears and animals. One of her designs, Benjami Bunny, can be found on the cover of the April 1996 issue of Crafts 'n Things. The June 1996 issue of Crafts 'n Things carries Rusty the All Occasion Bear.
In addition, Cynthia is program chairman for the Tawakoni Art Guild and as a member of Bluebonnet Crafters she has been responsible for the reviews in the miniature and Teddy Bear venue. She is a member of the Cotton Patch Quilt Guild in Greenville, the Quilt Guild of Dallas, and has recently become a member of, and is active in "The Virtual Dollies".
CRAFTY Q & A
In this feature, we invite readers to ask a crafting question. One question will be printed in each issue. We then would like for anyone who has an answer to this question to please send it to me.
In the following issue, we will print the question, the answers we received, and a new question for you to answer.
Please submit your crafting questions to laurieann@ivisions.com
I just started participating in local craft shows. What rule of thumb should we use when pricing our items? I have been told when pricing ceramic items that you price the items 5 times the greenware price. What holds true for other craft items? Annie
CLOTH DOLL CORNER
This time of year Gail's Doll House is filled with much hustle and bustle trying to complete all of the many special doll orders that have been received. Fabric, stuffing, yarn, needles, thread and many sewing machines are busy sewing, stuffing, dressing and packing and with this, the busiest time of the year, I decided that I would invite a very special Dollie friend of mine to write an article on "ENFORCING CONTRACTS FOR SALE ON THE INTERNET".
I want to thank those of you that did submit questions to me during November and if you have a specific topic on ClothDoll design that you would like to have answered, please send to Gail - The Doll Lady - gail@LUVDOLLS.com and I will post your questions along with answers in the next CRAFTY VISIONS NEWSLETTER.
I would like to wish everyone a very joyous Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year.
Gail - The Doll Lady
This post deals with the problem that arises when contracts for the sale or purchase of crafts or other merchandise are not honored. Since it is difficult to take someone who lives on the other side of the world to Small Claims Court, this article should offer other, more practical, suggestions. It also discusses the problems involved.
In order to have an enforceable contract, you must have an agreement, either in writing or orally. Over the Internet, we do not have oral contracts, of course. The legal question then becomes: If you offer your services or merchandise on the Internet and someone agrees to purchase, do you have a written contract that is enforceable, so that if you are not paid, or if someone does not send you the merchandise ordered, can you sue for recovery?
With some qualifications not discussed here, the Uniform Commercial Code 2-201(1), the statutes that cover such contracts in "real time", provides that a contract for the sale of goods for a price of $500 or more is not enforceable unless there is some "writing" sufficient to indicate that a contract for sale has been made between the parties. Further, the contract must be SIGNED by the party against whom enforcement is sought.
The question then becomes: Is an EMI (email transmission) sufficient to satisfy the "signature" requirement of an enforceable contract? There is precedent to suggest that it is. An official comment to the Uniform Commercial Code states: "Authentication may be printed, stamped or written; it may be by initials or by thumbprint. It may be on any part of the document and in appropriate cases may be found in a billhead or letterhead. No catalog of possible authentications can be complete and the court must use common sense and commercial experience in passing upon these matters."
This would seem to end the matter, but not quite. A writing and signature is sufficient if it is reducible to printed form. In most cases, such contracts are stored in the computer and can be printed out. However, the problem arises that computer transmissions may be altered, tampered with or erased. There can arise the question of whether or not the EMI transmission is an ACCURATE copy of the original. Different computers have ways of ensuring that their email is secure and not altered, and all involved should use those methods.
Jurisdictions vary on whether or not an EMI is a sufficient "signature." Some courts have taken the practical approach and determined that they are. Others have not, and in some cases have held that a fax, for example, is insufficient to seal a contract.
No agreement is absolutely tamper-proof, not even ordinary contracts where signatures actually appear, but all measures should be taken to insure a tamper-proof computer way of storing orders.
My short and highly abbreviated summary of this issue is intended as food for thought for all of you who are selling or buying doll-related materials on the Internet, and to point out certain problems that may arise. If you have any questions, or if this situation occurs, it is best to contact your attorney for advice.
You may refer your attorney to the article from which this memorandum comes: "Litigating in Cyberspace: Contracts on the Internet," by Stewart I. Edelstein, Trial Magazine, October, 1996.
QUICK AND EA$Y CHRISTMAS CRAFT$
CRAFTY KIDS
Materials for one:
Read all Instructions thoroughly before you begin.
Glue the red pompom at the beginning of the hook area of the candy cane, then glue the two wiggle eyes side by side approximately 3/4" above the pompom. Fold the piece of chenille stem in half, placing the fold around the candy cane at the top of the hook. Make one and one half full twists tight against the candy cane and shape the antlers* (see diagram). Wrap the ribbon around the candy cane between the pompom and the eyes and tie in a knot on the opposite side of where the pompom and eyes are glued. Take the two ends of the ribbon, one on either side of the long leg of the candy cane and tie an overhand knot to form the reins and curl the ends of the ribbon.
Materials:
Arrange candy canes side by side with hooks pointing upward to form the sled runners. Glue the gift box to the two candy canes just behind the hooks. Set aside and allow to dry thoroughly. With the Christmas braid (jute or ribbon) knot one end around each candy cane hook for the sled pull rope. Place gifts or candy in the box and close with a small piece of clear tape.
KITCHEN CRAFTS
Materials:
Instructions:
Pour dipping chocolate 2" deep in a shallow bowl approximately 6" in diameter. Holding balloon by the knot dip the rounded end of the balloon into the chocolate, lift straight up, allow to drip for a moment, then place on waxed paper lined cookie sheet at least an inch apart with the chocolate side down. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Remove from refrigerator and pop the balloons with a pin. Peel any bits of rubber from the inside of your chocolate bowl and fill with your favorite pudding, chocolate mousse, f resh fruit and whipped cream, ice cream or sherbet and serve immediately.
Optional: Pour chocolate 1" depth and rock the balloon North, South, East and West, allowing four petals to form on the outside of the balloon and proceed as above.
Materials:
Instructions:
Dip the bowl of the spoon into the chocolate. Allow to drain, place on wax paper covered cookie sheet and refrigerate 30 minutes. Remove from refrigerator, insert one spoon in each lollipop bag and tie the top in a knot with curling ribbon. Curl ribbon with edge of knife or scissors.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Place the white chocolate and the semi-sweet chocolate in plastic bag. Zap for 90 seconds. Knead package and repeat in 60 second increments until white chocolate has begun to soften. Add remaining chips and continue to microwave and knead alternately until most of the chips are soft and will blend. Remove from the microwave and knead bag until smooth and completely blended.
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We are including three appliques, a Santa, a Mrs. Santa and a Frosty The Snowman. These appliques can be used to decorate a Christmas tree skirt, a wall hanging, Christmas stockings or sweatshirts, depending on the fabric used to make the applique.
Snowman (Pattern)
Mrs. Santa (Pattern)
Santa (Pattern)
Use heavy duty fusible web and if applying to washables it is best to seal all edges with fabric paint. Trace each section of the finished outline onto the paper backing of your fusible web. Apply fusible web pattern pieces to the individual fabrics following the instructions on your fusible web. Cut out individual pieces and arrange in position on the background you will be using following the drawing. Remove paper backing from each piece and reposition and iron in place. Using the black permanent marker or fabric paint draw in details. Using glitter paint, trim or glue on jewels, decorate the Christmas tree and Snowman's scarf. Black slick paint or buttons work well for Snowman's eyes and buttons.
READER ROUND-UP
Some of our readers are trying to round-up the answers to the following questions:
Viv (bettger@soundcom.net)
I am looking for a recipe for philly cheese frosting. Can anyone help?
****
Daisy (hapiDaze@aol.com)
I saw these cakes (fake) made of cardboard or styrofoam (?) decorated with potpourri and dried flowers at the Harvest Festival. What I'd like to know is what that brown stuff is they use as "icing" to make it look like chocolate frosting. Help!!
****
Nancy (hufford@ix.netcom.com)
I am searching for "non-toxic plactic filler beads" to use in stuffed animals insead of beans. Do you have them, or can you tell me who would. I need them ASAP (for Christmas), also price, and other details. Thank you for your help in advance.
****
Maureen (GRIFFINMAU@gov.nb.ca)
I would like to know if any of your subscribers do cut and pierced lampshades. I also like working with dried flowers and always like to have new ideas.
****
****Editor (laurieann@ivisions.com)
Please send in any original craft projects using dried flowers, or dealing with cut and pierced lampshades to laurieann@ivisions.com for use in our upcoming newsletters.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
For anyone who would like to subscribe to just a clothdoll mailing list - Virtual Dollies, Please fill out our automatic subscription form.
Virtual Dollies is a very active discussion group with a large and still growing members list. We are extremely honored to have as members of our Virtual Dollies two of the leading ClothDoll Designers who still find the time through their very busy daily schedule to post some wonderful techniques and answer many of the members questions. I am speaking of Julie McCollough and Gloria "Mimi" Winer.
Membership to Virtual Dollies is free and we publish monthly an on-line club newsletter called The Doll House and very soon we will also have our own Web Site.
CONTRIBUTORS:
e-mail: gail@LUVDOLLS.com
URL: http://www.netport.com/pennyluv/
Visit Gail's Bulletin Boards
e-mail: Molly_finnegan@navix.net
e-mail: chance@cswnet.com
URL: http://www.wwvisions.com/craftbb/kay
Visit Kay's two Bulletin Boards:
e-mail: mclean@santalady.com
Visit Juelie's Santa Bulletin Board http://www.ivisions.com/crafty/bb/santa.html
Some exciting news about Juelie.....her "Brief History of Santa" is being published by a Japanese publisher in a textbook for Japanese Junior High students learning English. She is also being interviewed live by Izi Mann of the Voice of Israel Jerusalem about "Santa on the Web". She was chosen for this honor because of her web site and bulletin board. Congratulations Juelie!!!
e-mail: jjr@wcn.net
Visit Rose's Yard Art Bulletin Board http://www.wwvisions.com/craftbb/yardart.html
e-mail: becky@roo.com
URL: http://www.roo.com *** Check out Becky's list of Christmas links!!!
Visit Becky's General Crafts and Decorating Bulletin Board http://www.wwvisions.com/craftbb/gencraft.html
e-mail: BarbeeRR@worldnet.att.net
Thank you for reading the CRAFTY VISIONS NEWSLETTER and a very special thanks to the contributors! We are now accepting Valentines Day Craft contributions, as well as contributions for all our newsletter features.
Please contact us with your questions, suggests, or submissions!
© 1996, Internet Visions Co.
All rights reserved.
webmaster@ivisions.com
