So here we are at the auditions for the next season.  The audition round is probably my favorite of every season.  We get to meet a whole new group of ladies.  It’s so great!

Here are the lovely ladies trying their hand this season:

Jessica @ Spool & Spoon
Ahan @ Easier Than I Thought
Charlie @ Attempting Aloha
Rebecca @ Beauty All Around
Veronica @  Adventures of D & V
Malory @ Snips & Spice
Amber R. @ Craft Me Perfect
Heidi @ Green Doodle
Alessia @ ANhandmade Designs
Lacy @ Lavender & Lace
Amber C @ The Craft Project
Chrissy @ FullCandyJacket
Connie @ Measured by the Heart

Here is the poll.  Because of the fiasco this morning it will be open an extra 5 hours – until 5am PT on Friday.  As always, please let me know how you feel about it and if there are any problems.  Thanks!

If you would like to be a part of SYTYC just send me  an email at missy@sytyc.com letting me know (with a link to your blog).  If I think you’re a good fit for the contest I’ll put your name on the next available waiting list!

Craft #1 – Hand-painted Shower Curtain

For my “So You Think You’re Crafty” audition craft I would like to submit my hand-painted shower curtain. The curtain itself was purchased on sale and the design was painted using puff fabric paints. The design was inspired by an art piece I stumbled upon (literally- stumbleupon.com… it’s so fun!). I loved the Emerson quote and all the colors. I added my own touches of course. It took me about a week to complete. I took my time so as not to smudge the paint. I am so thrilled with the way it turned out.

Craft #2 – Love Nail Art

Craft #3 – Fabulous Fur Bench

In my previous home, I had this dark, wood table (pictured at left) at the end of our narrow hallway.   It was the perfect little accent table (emphasis on little). When we moved, there was no place for the table, but I kept it knowing I wanted to use it somehow, someday.

The opportunity to give this table a second life came when I was looking for a small bench to go at the end of a twin sized bed.   When I spotted it in the basement one day, I knew the table could become a darling bench.   After cutting the legs down, priming, painting, cutting foam to fit the top, and upholstering, it is now a cute and sassy statement piece.

The big decision remains which side I like better, the plain side or the one with the fretwork?

Craft #4 – Steampunk Costume

I’m so thrilled to be auditioning for So You Think You’re Crafty. I wanted to create an audition craft that was really fun and that reflected one of my “interests of the moment”. Recently I’ve been fascinated with steampunk, and I’ve been toying with the idea of throwing a steampunk party. Of course, in order to do that I needed to create a costume…and that seemed like the perfect thing to create for this audition (along with the help of an anonymous model to show it off for you).

I owned the skirt, boots, and blouse already, so I set off to create all of the small details. This involved the corset (I did all the detailing on a corset I already owned…sewing boning is a bit beyond me); the mask; the bracelet; the tights; the garter; the flask; the bobby pins; and the necklace.

The mask was created by painting the design on tulle with fabric paint; cutting it out when dried; adding metal details and chains; and then spray painting the whole piece to make the colouring consistent. The garter was created by sewing layers of ribbon and lace together; stitching them into a tube; running a shorter piece of elastic through the tube and sewing the ends together; and finishing it off with some steampunk gear details. The bracelet was created by embossing a piece of leather with a quote (“I dwell in the realm of possibility”); adding lace and metal details; and finishing it off with black snaps. The tights were created using a fabric marker to hand draw gears and clocks onto their surface. All of the detailing on the flask, corset, bobby pins, and necklace were created with a combination of sewing, extra strong glue, paint, and patience. I hope you enjoy it.

Craft #5 – Silk Brooch

Craft #6 – Pop of Color

I love decorating in neutrals with unexpected pops of color. I have been wanting to do something to my pantry door for a while now. Let me show you what I had to work with.

Standard builder 6 panel door. Nothing fun or fancy. But I could fix that.

I started with a cheery yellow color. That would provide the pop I needed. But I wasn’t satisfied with color alone.

I started by distressing the door. I took sandpaper to it and roughed up the paint. Much better already. I added the Bon appetit with vinyl and I LOVE it. I thought this rustic wreath would compliment the design and I LOVE it too. This little pantry door makeover makes me happy to be in the kitchen. It was a simple project but it has such impact. Here is a side by side before and after.

It’s a little hard to see the distressing in these pictures but it makes all the difference. Can’t you just feel the cheeriness in that color? I want to tackle my door out to the garage next. I once heard someone say make the door your family uses everyday be a cheery greeting. Love that idea! Off to pick colors.

Craft #7 – Suitcase Chair

Craft #8 – Upholstered Doll Bed

I’d been thinking of drawing up plans to build an upholstered doll bed for awhile, so I was excited to finally get to execute my idea. Since it was for my daughter’s friend, I let her dig through all my fabric and choose the upholstery, pillow fabrics, and bedding fabrics. I wasn’t loving all the black and white, but she insisted that’s what she wanted. And she chose just a basic soft felt fabric for the comforter and wouldn’t let me even put any trim on it! I had to practically beg her to let me give it the pink accent pillow. Ha!

I’m happy to report that the bed was the hit of the party, and it’s become a favorite toy already. Can’t beat that! And it helped use up some of my scrap stash, and that always makes my husband happy!  Double win!

I wish I had a picture with the dolls, so you can see the size, but this it large. It’s built to fit an American Girl 18″ doll! So fun to give handmade gifts!

Craft #9 – Perpetual Calendar

This is a project that I’ve been thinking about making for a long, long time. I have lots of those. So I was glad to have a reason to finally get it whipped up.

It’s a perpetual calendar. The little numbers are magnetic and can be moved around to form any 28, 29, 30, or 31 day configuration.

I’m not going to lie. It was a lot of work; more than I was expecting, but now I have a calendar that I can use for years (and years) to come. So hurray for that.

Craft #10 – Kindle Case

I was so excited when I received a kindle fire for Christmas this past holiday season!  Of course I was excited at all the reading possibilities, but also for the crafting possibilities.  I knew right after I opened the gift, that I would make a kindle cover.  After scouring the racks, I fell in love with this pink/purple swirly fabric, and found this fun green accent for the inside.

I knew I wanted it to have a zippered pocket to keep all my cords, earphones, and library card (did you know that you can check out books from the library for your e-reader?).  I was pleased with the free-motion quilting design, the ease of the velcro closure, and how it fit my kindle like a glove, but it still seemed incomplete…that is until I created the design for the front of the top flap.

After I added the embroidered fabric with my name (edited out in this picture, and simulated with a substitute for anonymity) on top of this great ruffled ribbon, I knew my project was complete!  It is the perfect size and weight for the kindle, and the double layer of quilted fabric is enough to cushion it for those unfortunate falls it sometimes takes.

Craft #11 – Glitter & Leather Pennant Necklace

Hello SYTYC readers! I’m so glad to be here. One of my bloggy friends competed three seasons ago and every week I was on pins and needles waiting to see what everyone came up with and I was never disappointed.  I’m kind of beyond elated to have a chance to actually be a contestant on the upcoming season.

VOILA! You’re done. It’s fun, edgy, and the perfect Spring accessory. I hope you all like it as much as I do and I hope to see you around these parts soon!

Craft #12 – Guitar Art Case

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Craft #13 – A Soft Place to Land: bay window revamp

Other than the cushion foam and fabric, all supplies were found around the house or in my sewing stash.    I created pillows shams for outdated pillows using a soft sweater knit, bleached to match velvet, Grannie’s saved crocheted bits, and a cool Alphabet Scroll print that I’m loving.