Official NEC-magical gift post

[KathrynM]

alnicole - I do not do the tutu (thinking about it) but I've noticed with some other projects that they don't send the better materials for your sample. They are looking at your technique. Just make it look the best you can. Make sure everything is neat and there is no visible glue on the outside.
Good Luck with it!

[blkats7]

Hi Everyone!
I'm so glad I found this sight, people are so nice and helpful. I'm presently involved in three projects: the joker face, the clay snowman and the scottie magnet.

I'm having problems on each one that continual practice is just not doing it. I have been approved for the scottie magnet, but need to work on the circles and the neatness on the foam backing. I could not find the Style Stix but found something similar, but the circles are still not perfect. I tried cutting them out as one person suggested, but NEC said that is a no no. Also using very sharp small scissors on foam but still not neat enough. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The banner on the clay snowman has almost brought me to tears of frustration. I tried the toothpick and a very fine brush. HELP! One hint I can offer on the snowman. If you find it falling apart when baking, snip a toothpick into small pieces and insert in larger ball and then push medium ball on top and do the same with the mid section and the head. Lastly, the mouth on the Joker is also driving me mad, if anyone has a hind I would love to hear from you.

I know this is a long one, hope you all will forgive me, LOL. By the way, what happened to the NEC Forum?

[kcduffer]

One tip that may help you with the foam is to first glue the felt to the foam and then cut out the foam by beveling your scissors by holding them at an angle so that the foam is the size of the felt pieces on top right under the felt, but smaller in the back of the piece. This supports the felt well but doesn't show when the piece is glued on.

As far as the snowman's banner, that's been discussed before. I think there is a metal cap with a tiny point that you can screw onto your paint bottle and use that to write on the banner. I think people have had good luck using that to do the banner writing.

[mariee66]

blkats7 - not working on those projects but waiting for scottie kit to come any day now.

I have been practicing on making circles/dots using the cd method w/ paint pen & they look real good. Use the circle inside a cd or the blank clear one that sometimes comes when you buy a stack. Trace around the inner circle then fill in the rest. Add your glitter quickly b4 it dries. Make sure to clean the paint from the inside of the cd often.

Also tried a stencil brush & circles look good but then paint dries too fast to put on glitter & takes more time than the cd case method. The style sticks do not seem to work as good, for me anyways though others swear by it.

Good luck!!

[blkats7]

Thank you so much for your comments. I'll look for the post on the metal tip. As far as cutting the foam on an angle, do you use a straight scissor or a curved blade?

[kcduffer]

I use straight blades for that. I don't think the curved blades would work well. You may have to get into the corners a little bit with teeny scissors, but that should be all of the cleaning up that it needs.

[CrystalRose1979]

Hi all :-)

Hope everyone is doing good and having fun with their crafts!!!! I am so happy my husband and I got our sheep kit in the mail recently and the training DVD!!!! We are watching it and just having a little trouble seeing what she is doing in some parts. My husband is doing them with me and we went to Micheals craft store to see if they had any wool and styrofoam balls and they had the balls but not the wool, does anyone know who has wool and if it is nessasary to get the extra balls and wool to practice before sending the first sheep in? We want to get approved as fast as we can but the balls at the store are like $5.00 a little pack and they didnt have the wool. Anyone have any tips on getting approved fast with the sheep? Thanks so much everyone, we really appreciate it!!!! We would have been on here sooner but our computer cord broke and had to wait for a new power cord to come in the mail. Thanks again and have a great day too everyone :-)

Crystal

[Silverspoon]

I do the snowman and joker face. For the mouth, think of it as a heart with little whisps for a smile and glitter. I just use a small paint brush for the letters. Get Some ribbon and practice practice, pratice,. It will finally come. It will help if you get some fabric stiffener for the ribbon before you start. No bleeding. Good luck.

[mariee66]

Crystalrose - I bought my wool at Jo-anns fabrics, think it was like $5.00. Can also order it online if Joanns is not close by, but that will take time waiting for shipping. I was glad I bought some to practice on because I used up a lot trying to get my sheep tight & if I had used theirs I would have had none left to make my sample.

I am very lucky as the closest Jo-anns & Michaels are less than 100 feet from each other, so if one does not have what I need I just take a little walk to the other.

[fool_in_cali]

Thanks Nancy, Mariee66 and Sharma!

Nancy, I hadn't taken my apart but I can tell the seam is straight. The angles of the template seem to be off to make the straight seam. So, I figure if I can make a template that makes it easier for me to make the toe ring quickly and properly, too! If I figure any shortcuts, I'll let you know!

Mariee66, I had read the instructions a couple of times, realizing that there might be a clue later but I don't see it. If I get the seam straight the bottom isn't in a point (per instructions). If I am to cover the seam with sequins with a pointed tip the seam will have a slight curve around the cone. I know there is a way and I need to figure it out, people have done it and so can I!!!

Sharma, I can understand! Like everything it looks easier than I thought. I did learn not to start right away with the materials sent but practice on something else from reading the posts. One of the things I need to check is using a crimp tool on stretchy cord, I was taught to use chain nose on stretchy cord and that actually is what was used on my sample. So, I am going to pull out my craft supplies and play when I get home tomorrow. Good luck on the other projects!

Have a great evening!

Maggie