Form-fitted case using expanding foam - I've been looking for this kind of tutorial for ages!

How-To Geek has posted a tutorial titled 'Create Customer Tool Drawer Liners with a T-Shirt and Spray Foam', and I couldn't be happier! Whenever I am making gifts, I love the idea of creating a custom-fit box lined in velvet or something equally luxurious - and using the concept explained in this tutorial, now I htink I can do it.

Lots of free public domain books

Hello world,

Just a quick note to share this link with you - I have been drooling over all the dressmaking anf patternmaking books available on there, and that's just a minute sample of the almost 3 million books they have - let another their other media!!

Check out http://www.archive.org.

~Eyespiral

Supercool reverse geocache wedding gift

Hello world,

Just a quick on to share this absolutely amazing reverse geocache puzzle box by arduiana. It is just so cool that he made this for his friends' wedding gift. I am astounded and impressed.

~ Eyespiral

Tineye reverse image search - very cool

Hello world,

Long time no update - we got engaged while on holidays, so I am knee-deep in wedding planning bliss right now. I've been madly trying on dresses all over the place. I really liked one I had the store note down for me, but of course they didn't give me the actual designer or style because otherwise what's stopping me trying to get it at a better price from another retailer?

However, luckily for me, the dress shop happens to feature the dress in the header of their website.

Enter Tineye Reverse search! http://www.tineye.com/ allows you to either upload an image or enter the URL of an online image and then it searches the web to find where else that o,age appears online. Hey presto, I found my designer!!

Thought I'd share the love since it's exactly what I wanted and worked perfectly for me. :)

~Eyespiral

Projects on their way

Hello world,

Soon I'll be posting pictures of a few fun projects that I've whipped up in limited time - a Combi cushion for my little sister who we call miniTim, a Black Swan style tutu for her costume for her birthday party, and a quick and fun craft utility aprol for mum for mothers day. I might even do a tutorial for the tutu since finding a decent tutorial was such a challenge!

~Eyespiral

Custom gold and silver henna patterned gumboots

Hello world,

Here they are! My beautiful custom gumboots. I may even do some more work on them in the future... depending on how I feel. There's space for more but I do love them as they are.

To replicate these all you need is:

• A clean pair of gumboots - I picked up my pair from Bunnings for $20
• One or more permanent paint markers with a fine nib - I used gold and silver Artline 999XF with a 0.8mm nib
• And internet connection or a library where you can look up examples of the many and varied awesome henna patterns... or, you know, innate artistic talent (I went with the internet connection and the library books as my Mum funnelled all of her drawing talent into my little brother Michael)

I also used a couple of stick-on jewels I had left over from my cake pop bouquets a few years ago. If you're planning on adding anything like that, I suggest using construction adhesive (in careful quantities) because hot glue won't stand the elements (Selleys in a good brand; they even have one specifically for rubber).

Method: Just go for it! Hmm, but if you're concerned about not getting it right first time, I'd recommend first doing some practice on paper. e.g. I made one of my zine-per-diems just henna patterns - they're fun, pretty, easy even if you're not good at drawing, and you end up feeling quite calm and tranquil while you're doing it.

For a great resource on the mechanics of drawing henna patterns, as well as examples of some masterpieces and descriptions of the different styles of henna around the world, check out The Henna Page.

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What's the story?

I decided to make these beautiful gumboots for an adventure EJ and I were planning - foraging down an old abandoned train tunnel at Helensburgh. We originally discovered the place while geocaching - Dub Side of the Moon is hidden sneakily at the mouth of the dreamy location. Take a look how romantic a scene it is:

Sorry for the low-quality image - we left the photo-taking 'til the sun was high in the sky and it was a sweltering 40°C, making for harsh lighting conditions. That and trying to hash the image size down for the internet means this doesn't even show you a fraction of how beautiful this place is - if you're anywhere nearby, go and check it out!

Inside there was an escape from the stifling heat, not to mention a canopy of glow worms that have aligned themselves with the old brickwork. The mud is the perfect thick glompy kind, and you see frogs hopping around and other creatures too.

The mud was the reason we left exploring the tunnel for another day - giving me a week to make these babies! Below is a comparison - my gummies in their, uh, natural habitat on the left, and on the right, after our adventure.

Yes, they survived. The mud came off easily, and any spots that had dried too much to come off under running water were easily removed with a soft damp cloth. In face, the walking and the cleaning didn't affect the drawn-on patterns at all. Success! The only smudge is from where EJ's ridiculously heavy torch was resting on them in the bag on the way home.

OK, I won't post any more pictures (I have roughly 100... yes I always take things overboard).

Au revoir,

-Eyespiral

I promise it's coming...