Getting My Banners Organized

My collection of banners was becoming unwieldy, so I got some shelves from IKEA and got some preliminary organizing done. My shelves needed to be wide and deep to hold the rolls. Next task is to sort by color and type.

Diagonal Weave Basket

This is my very first diagonal weave basket. The basket is basically two layers of backlit vinyl tarp at right angles to each other. Each piece of vinyl is fringed at a 45 degree angle to the basket edge base as shown in the diagram. After weaving I secured the ends with clips and glue. I finished off the basket with another piece of vinyl used as trim with more glue.

I put the .svg file here if you are interested in trying this project. The file is also on Craftedge in the SVG files area, boxes and borders section.
I use Cricut Expressions to cut out the vinyl, Sure Cuts a Lot software to set it up. I also use UHU glue stick to anchor the vinyl to the cutting mat.

Housekeeping of blog URL

I changed the blog address to http://vinally.blogspot.com/ from sewnagain.blogspot.com.

When I initially started blogging, I was making repurposed clothing; hence the Sewnagain name. When the clothing items didn't sell on Etsy, I switched to making things out of vinyl. (They still aren't selling very well, but I'm maintaining a presence there, because once in a while, something in my Etsy shop does sell.)

For a while I didn't think I could change the the name of my blogger URL. It makes more sense to have the blogger URL connected in name to VinAlly. Blogger assures me that my followers will still be able to find me.

Recycled Vinyl for baskets

Recycled vinyl advertising tarps comes in a lot of great colors. There's a lot of possibilities in using this material for basket-type projects. Here's a woven sample of nothing in particular. The type of tarp I used was a "backlit" tarp, which is thicker than other vinyls and is printed on both sides.

I think my house could use a magazine rack and key basket, so I might try this.

Thanks to J.L. for supplying me with cool used vinyl banners.

Harry Potter Memory Phial Decal

I really like the doily-style labels on the vials in Dumbledore's Memories Cabinet in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I thought such a label would really dress up my hand sanitizer bottle. My label is simpler than the one in the movie, but I'm happy with the result. Although, I wish my handwriting was nicer.

Update: I made another label for my spray cleaner bottle.

If you are interested in working with this label, you may download the .svg file here: http://www.4shared.com/u/pzgmrqms/77e85c19/VinAlly.html

For you Sure Cuts a Lot users I posted the SCUT file here http://forums.surecutsalot.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=8843

Time to Make Some Boots

I am using Mary Wales Loomis' book on Making Your Own Shoes from http://www.marywalesloomis.com/ to remake these boots. These boots are fine as they are but the heels are a bit high for me, so they are going to be my shoemaking laboratory. Here are the boots originally, and the second photo shows them full of plaster. I am making a mold to shape the vinyl material on. A shoe form or mold is called a last. I thought it would be interesting to incorporate cut-work designs into the boots, so I made some sketches of the first idea I have.

There really aren't many books out there on shoemaking, and Mary Wales Loomis' book is good, quite detailed and affordable. I also just ordered a book on designing patterns for shoemaking from http://www.shoetrades.com/. It's called Pattern Cutting- step by step patterns for footwear.