Day 31: Make a Path People!

Make a path.
I spent a few hours today putting things away and breaking down boxes, basically clearing a path through my apartment and although I am VERY proud of my accomplishments I don't think it would translate well to a blog post.  So I used one of my moving boxes to create a marble maze... that's a path!

I actually spray painted the pieces after 10PM, in the dark, outside my new apartment.  People were pulling back their curtains and peaking out their doors to make sure I wasn't tagging their building.  I honestly expected to see a cop car pull up at any minute.  Great way to make a good first impression with the neighbors.
This was made by cutting and taping a base box shape, then a piece to fit inside.  I then took individual pieces traced them and used a exacto to cut out grooves for the walls to fit in as well as the hole traps.

Day 30: Toy Time

Work with toys.
I have a MASSIVE amount of toys but I'm also still unpacking and tired.  I decided to stay simple.
I spiced up my cheap pedicure flip flops with hot glue and Barrel-O-Monkeys monkeys.  Maybe I'll actually wear these out in public now.

A couple days before I started this daily project I had created a toy monster using small items from the bottom of my toybox and an art model from IKEA, and even though it's included in my first post, I'm bringing it back, cause I can.

Day 29: In Disguise

Make a disguise for yourself, a friend, a pet, or an object.
Today was moving day and by the time this picture was taken I was bruised, extremely sore, waiting for pizza and ready to pass out.
The craft isn't fantastic but the picture is funny.
I made bug out eye glasses for Cat Benatar since she was BUGGIN all day with the move. 
*mwow      mwow    MWOW  MWOW   MWOWMWOWMWOWMWOW*

Just to bring it home, here's a pic of her snuggling up a day after she created multiple punctures across my chest (that's not a scratch).  Ryan said he could hear multiple POP's as it happened.  Yeah, I cried.
It actually doesn't look too bad in this pic but a few of those are still purple around the outside.

Day 28: Back to School

Use traditional school materials like lined paper and pencils to make something nontraditional.
My guy is finally home after being gone a few months so I asked him what I should make for this project he said "Hand turkey... a rhinoceros hand turkey... a turhino".  I don't think I captured his vision and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to frame this one.

Day 27: Dream a Little Nightmare

Use a dream as inspiration for today's project.
I have dreams (night terrors) where I wake up and see a gigantic spider hanging over my face *psycho*.  So, I used that and The Fly as my inspiration for today's project.

I made this late at night after celebrating (too hard) my 2nd to last night in San Diego.  The next night was reserved for packing.  It was a bit sloppy so I cleaned it up a lot before taking this pic.
Made with IKEA frame, white elastic, Sculpey
Update: *IF you ever want to find out fucked up shit about your friends or family mention that you have a sleeping issue like night terrors and strap yourself in.. repeat after me "Uh huh... oh? huh.... weird... sorry have to run to the restroom"

Day 26: Portable

Make something portable that normally isn't.
I decided to make a portable shrine; I've been meaning to do this since I bought the book Retro Revamp about 10 yrs ago.
I made a shrine to crafting and was going to use Martha Stewartas my patron saint of crafting but the store didn't have a copy of her mag... so we have a strange crying baby with googly eyes.  Now I guess it's a shrine to the patron saint of hot glue gun burns.
This was made using shiny origami paper, sequins, jewels, beads, magazine clipping, googly eyes, clip, tacs, birthday candles, Altoids mini tin, hot glue and super glue. 

Cat Benetar wanted to model so here's a pic to give perspective on the size

I put a clip on the back to hold the shrine up on the base, and tacs in the base to hold up the candles

 

Packing it up (with extra candles).

 
I should have left a space around the outside of the lid (no beads) so the tin could close more easily.

Day 25: Work with Nature

Use nature from your yard or the park for this project.
I looked like an insane person walking down the street with about a 12 foot palm under my arm. 

I used palm leaves, a normal leaf, bark from a palm and hot glue.  These Perrier bottles are really coming in handy... I used one to start the shape then peeled of the label with the palms attached.
It reminds me of Where the Wild Things Are meets The Village's creature.
My regret on this one is not using a dark colored leaf so the mask would really stick out.  The hands actually look better than they do in the pic.

Day 24: Not Easy Being Green

Create something using green colored materials.
I used the same Perrier bottles as yesterday's project and using the same method created a necklace.

Day 23: Recycle a Recyclable

Use something from the recycling bin.
I used a few Perrier plastic bottles.  So many possibilities on what I could do with them.  I decided to make two containers.  I cut the tops off then cut away strips.
  
I then melted each strip.

Day 22: Bridge

Create a bridge
I made a bridge using a deck of cards.  I glued my fingers together more times than I can count

I also bought a floating frame for my "from the car" project...

Day 21: Love Story

Write a 10 word love story and illustrate.
I'm a nerd "Two trees planted side by side decide to never leave"

Day 20: Clay

Make something with clay (go outside of comfort zone)...
I decided to play off of the imagery I created at the end of my post yesterday... remember Fabio & sour cream and chive potato chips?
I used Sculpey, marbles, tin foil, and an Altoids mini container.  I had never created an object this large with clay nor had I ever tried to do a more human-esk creation.
The start, she has a marble in her head and a large marble in her upper torso.  Then I attached the two...
 

Behind the scenes... the less glamorous angle.  You can see the marbles at the bottom of the first pic.
 

And here's the final...

I decided to make her an appropriate living space... (origami paper, cut out from a home depot ad, cat sticker).  I have a TERRIBLE time drawing or sculpting hands and feet so don't look too close and just give me credit for trying.

Day 19: Whatever Floats Your ____

Create something that floats on water.
A boat seems too obvious so I tried to think of things that float... all my brain came up with were floating candles and wine corks.  I think that says something about my life...  so let's set the soundtrack... click on this link to open another browser window and turn up the volume.  It's gonna get steamy in here.
"Sexiest song EVER!!! *listen*"

I took a wine cork, my new favorite toy (Dremel) and decided "SHARK"


I still need to invest in more bits.  I don't have any detail ones yet so I filed down just the basic shape.


Lesson learned: Do NOT listen to Fabio while trying to type a blog.  I picture an overweight woman listening to the linked song, candles lit, she digs her hand into a bag of sour cream & chive potato chips, and shoves them in her face... the sax kicks in on the song, she longingly looks down at the worn cover of the book "Rough & Tender"... licks the chives and seasoning off of her fingers, wipes the grease from her hands onto her muumuu and then....

~hugs and kisses followers

Day 18: Junk in Your Trunk

Make something using things found in your car.
Well, amazingly, I keep my car pretty clean so I didn't have much in there besides CDs and maps.
I've seen a few people cut out road & subway maps to create a cool spiderweb sort of result.
So, I copied them, what are they gonna do:

I held it up to a lamp to get the feel and prove I cut out the pieces.  I'm trying to decide how to display it but I think I'm going to get a "floating" frame where the image is sandwiched between two pieces of glasses.

Lessons learned on this one... don't wait to do the intricate parts till the end... by that time you are pissed and tired.  Also, do not stick exacto into finger tip trying to cut off a sliver of tape... do not stick exacto into any body part period.
I'm such a klutz I was actually VERY concerned about holding an exposed blade for such an extended period of time... swipe hair out of face, lose an eye, itch my nose, hello career as MJ impersonater...
I remember hearing a story in grade school about some legendary person who lost an eye trying to shove a metal poker through fabric as a boy; that's the type of stupid thing I would do and be remembered for.  Can someone PLEASE tell me who that was?  An artist, musician, politician, a fictional character my brain thinks was real; this is now driving me crazy!

Update:  I almost feel like I shouldn't show this to you since it's going to make mine look lame but here is my inspiration (direct theft) for this project http://www.etsy.com/listing/55896814/london-mapcut.  Although, look at the price, $1450!?  I'll sell you my shitty IL cut out for 1/75th of that.

Update: To see the map in the floating frame check out Day 22

Day 17: Eyeglasses

Make something inspired by and/or goes over an eye.
I finally have a working printer!  So, of course, I was excited and had to use it. 
I added glasses with eyes to an easel.

I laminated the eyes to make them look like they were behind lenses.  If I had more time I would like to file down the extra wood on the easel.

Day 16: Potato Stamp

Today's project was to make a stamp using either a potato or a sponge.  The sponge was difficult to cut so I went with a tater stamp.
I tried a number of detailed designs but it was hard with my tools and the texture so I made this random shape first:


Then I tried to make a frame:

 

I also made a talk bubble stamp but couldn't think of anything funny to write so...

Lame humor... dig it.

I don't suggest making a stamp with a potato too much moisture & extra chunks are easily lost or will angle to the side losing the design.  Not to mention, once the stamp starts to dry it warps.  The only logical thing to use one for is basic shapes like hearts, stars, etc.

Day 15: Make it Rain - Dollar Project

Make something using a dollar as the medium or inspiration.
I knew a few folding tricks for dollar bills but that felt like cheating so I decided to try to make my own origami by messing around... it turned out to be an owl.

That was kind of boring though so I made some dollar bill jewelry.


*B*L*I*N*G*

Day 14: Micro

Make something very small.
I spent the day apartment searching, browsing toy/book stores, going to the museum of death, then finally grabbing a drink before going back to the hotel... so I did make some attempts throughout the day trying to make something very small but it was difficult.  So this was created at 3AM PST.  Cool coins.

Day 13: Tea Time

Create something with tea leaves or tea bags.
"I pity the foo who don't drink... me." ~ Mr. Tea

Day 12: Camouflage

Create or alter something so that it disappears into its background.
I have very little time today for a project with working, packing, driving, show so I'll make the image a little smaller so you can scroll past this post fast.

I give you book shark.  It's hard to flip through the pages of a book with no fingertips!

Day 11: On the Other Hand

Use your nondominant hand to create something.
I didn't want to post a bad drawing as my project for the day and I'm still really excited about my Dremel so after polishing all my silver jewelry I sat down with some wooden dominos.

I made the gas mask & rib cage (w/ nail polish heart) first using my right hand to try it out.  Then moved on to the stranger to attempt a skeleton. 

Now it's time to pack for tomorrow's LA weekend adventure with my friend Maria from Chicago.  First night: Rise Against, Bad Religion, & the DESCENDENTS in Long Beach, woo!  What can I pack that's slutty?  (Don't worry Ryan, I'll take pictures)

My favorite part of this project was the Facebook comment from my buddy Fingers (who has one hand)
Fingers: Must be nice having the option of two hands...

Me: You haven't felt this left out since it was time to draw hand turkeys in kindergarten!

I also tried to make a Dead Guy hoody using "Stencil Spray" fabric paint from Michaels. 

It didn't spray like spray paint just spatters then bam tons of paint then just spattering again.  I didn't follow the instructions and put something in between the fabric and I'll never learn my lesson and block off the surrounding area well enough, so it soaked through and there's splatters all over the bottom.  Lame: