May 30, 2011
May 25, 2011
Belts & Buckles 101: The Right Size Belt
Belts & Buckles 101 has finally returned for a short installment! One common question for anyone ordering a belt is "what size??". The answer is not "whatever size your waist is". So here are some tips...
Keep in mind!
The very best method
If you already have a belt that you like to wear, it is best to use it to figure out your size...
1) lay your belt out flat
2) measure, in inches, from the hook, D-rings, snaps, etc. (basically, wherever your buckle holds onto the belt)
to the hole that you use (or whatever part of the belt "hooks" with the buckle)
I use the second hole from the left, or the scrumple-y bit of the fabric belt. Both of them are at about 32 inches...so that's my belt size!
3) the measurement you get is your belt size - that's it!
Other ways to do it
But perhaps you're buying a belt because you don't have one now. Here are a couple of tips...
Keep in mind!
- Belts usually come in even sizes - 30, 32, 34, 36 inches...
- Err on the side of too big! If you get a belt that is a bit too big, you can take it to a leather/saddle/cobbler shop and have them punch in another hole. Or just do it yourself with a sharp knife, ice pick, or similar. But if your belt is too small, there's nothing to do but return or exchange it...bummer.
- For a perfect fit, your buckle should attach to the center hole. (There are usually 5 holes in a belt.)
The very best method
If you already have a belt that you like to wear, it is best to use it to figure out your size...
1) lay your belt out flat
2) measure, in inches, from the hook, D-rings, snaps, etc. (basically, wherever your buckle holds onto the belt)
to the hole that you use (or whatever part of the belt "hooks" with the buckle)
3) the measurement you get is your belt size - that's it!
Other ways to do it
But perhaps you're buying a belt because you don't have one now. Here are a couple of tips...
- If you are a guy or a girl who wears pants with a waist measurement in inches, the rule of thumb is to add 2 inches to that to get your belt size... 30 inch jean waste + 2 inches = 32 inch belt size. And remember, if you are not sure, choose the size up!
- Try on your best friend's belt, check out the size, and just add or subtract the inches that you need for it to fit.
May 14, 2011
Quick Alter-Art Update
Just a quick note to say that my very first full size quilt is complete! It was a real adventure to do all of it - and especially the quilting. It wouldn't have been possible without some great instructions from my extremely talented mom. And she even answered the phone when I called for the 50th time in an hour - I was getting nervous for the quilting part. Thanks, Mom!
The whole enchilada...
And a couple details of the quilting. I used a simple free-form wave pattern - a great choice for my first try at quilting...
Now, just in case you want your very own amazing quilt, here's your chance. My fantastically talented mom made a stunning quilt that is being raffled off this year to support the Piecing Partners Quilt Guild, including their charity work with the Department of Human Services.
Here's a look at the quilt. It's actually quite big - 94"x93" - and it's called Domestic Drama. I've held this one in my own hands, and photos cannot do it justice, but here goes anyhow...
For just $1 a ticket, you can be entered to win it! So, if you want a few raffle tickets (I recommend it!), please just shoot me an email and I can put you in touch with the right folks.
Thanks!
The whole enchilada...
And a couple details of the quilting. I used a simple free-form wave pattern - a great choice for my first try at quilting...
Now, just in case you want your very own amazing quilt, here's your chance. My fantastically talented mom made a stunning quilt that is being raffled off this year to support the Piecing Partners Quilt Guild, including their charity work with the Department of Human Services.
Here's a look at the quilt. It's actually quite big - 94"x93" - and it's called Domestic Drama. I've held this one in my own hands, and photos cannot do it justice, but here goes anyhow...
For just $1 a ticket, you can be entered to win it! So, if you want a few raffle tickets (I recommend it!), please just shoot me an email and I can put you in touch with the right folks.
Thanks!
May 4, 2011
Everyone loves free!
I can't think of anyone I know who doesn't like free. What else could explain waiting in line for an hour at Ben and Jerry's for the teeniest bit of free ice cream on free cone day? And, as my nephew would say...
I don't like free......I LOVE free!!! (Except he would insert many other fantastically exciting kid things I don't know instead of "free")
And one of the best kinds of free is free handmade goodies. In fact I spent about 3 hours standing in line to get a swag bag of free handmade things from the Urban Craft Uprising this last winter. I had good company. And a good bagel sandwich. And then got great free goodies. Hurray!
So when I got a chance to add to someone else's bag of free goodies, I couldn't pass it up. "what? free?" you ask. Yes, the sure-to-be-wonderful Seattle etsyRAIN craft show is this Saturday, May 7th. And those who are willing to wait (for about 2 hours or so) to be the first in the show get swag bags of treasure.
So, I got to work making my first pieces of Wild Bear swag...
I decided to make Wild Bear bottle cap magnets. They require resin (of which I have plenty!) and then just something cute to go inside. I played around with my soon-to-be new Wild Bear Designs logo (you heard it here first!) to make bunches of wild mountain magnets.
And the close-up...
I found high strength, little magnets to put on the back for a clean look.
Once they were all done, they went into bags with a card and a special little note - not to be revealed here.
Who wants one? I do!
To get yours - and lots of other handmade treats - come on down to the etsyRAIN craft show. I'll be there myself in the afternoon, so just give a holler if you'd like to come along!
I don't like free......I LOVE free!!! (Except he would insert many other fantastically exciting kid things I don't know instead of "free")
And one of the best kinds of free is free handmade goodies. In fact I spent about 3 hours standing in line to get a swag bag of free handmade things from the Urban Craft Uprising this last winter. I had good company. And a good bagel sandwich. And then got great free goodies. Hurray!
So when I got a chance to add to someone else's bag of free goodies, I couldn't pass it up. "what? free?" you ask. Yes, the sure-to-be-wonderful Seattle etsyRAIN craft show is this Saturday, May 7th. And those who are willing to wait (for about 2 hours or so) to be the first in the show get swag bags of treasure.
So, I got to work making my first pieces of Wild Bear swag...
I decided to make Wild Bear bottle cap magnets. They require resin (of which I have plenty!) and then just something cute to go inside. I played around with my soon-to-be new Wild Bear Designs logo (you heard it here first!) to make bunches of wild mountain magnets.
And the close-up...
I found high strength, little magnets to put on the back for a clean look.
Once they were all done, they went into bags with a card and a special little note - not to be revealed here.
Who wants one? I do!
To get yours - and lots of other handmade treats - come on down to the etsyRAIN craft show. I'll be there myself in the afternoon, so just give a holler if you'd like to come along!
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