Canvas Tip: Dry Erase Markers

I'm not an expert on plastic canvas; actually, I've only been working with it for a couple of years, and truthfully, I've only really gotten into it in the past year or so.  Every day I learn something new about this fascinating craft!  I'm sure there are other newbs out there like me who can benefit from the cool things I learn along the way, so I'm going to try to post little tips on Tuesdays (probably not every Tuesday, but I'll try!) and we can learn together.  Let me know if there's any tips you have that you want to share!

My very first tip is probably the most important thing I learned about plastic canvas, and that is, you should always mark the canvas before you cut!  You have no idea how many perfectly good pieces of canvas I've ruined because I was trying to cut it by looking at the pattern, and I missed a hole somewhere along the way.  That's really frustrating, especially when you're working on a big piece.

But I also know that I don't like using permanent marker for several reasons.  One, because it's not actually as permanent as they'd like you to believe, and I always seem to get ink on my yarn as I stitch.  Two, because if you're working with a light color yarn, and you marked with a dark color, you'll be able to see the marks through the yarn (I learned that one the hard way).

So what can you use that marks plastic but can easily be removed?  Why, dry erase markers!  How brilliant is that?  As soon as I thought of it I went out and bought a three pack at the Dollar Tree (for a dollar of course).

My three pack came with blue, black and red.  The blue and black both work great, but the red is too light to see so I don't actually use it.  Still, two markers for a buck!

It's important to get a marker with a small pointy nib, since you'll be marking thin lines.

And I really like these markers because they have built in erasers on the cap.  Once I mark the canvas and cut it, I just put the cap back on and erase the lines!  So easy!

I've looked for brand name dry erase markers that have a pointy nib and a built in eraser, but they're hard to come by, and boy are they expensive.  So if you have a dollar tree near you, I recommend their markers!  But really, anything will do as long as it has a fine point.  You can always use a paper towel to erase the lines.

Well, I hope you enjoyed today's tip.  Do any of you use dry erase markers?  What about permanent markers?  Or do you just eyeball it? 

New Fall Tissue Box Cover

I have a cool new pattern up on Etsy!  Just in time for fall too.  I'm totally going to use this in my own home.

Fall Harvest Tissue Box Cover

See how nice it looks with the decor on my entertainment center? 

My Latest Obsession

So hubby and I went on a little road trip today to Erie PA.  It's about an hour's drive from where we live in Jamestown NY.  We don't really like going there often, because the traffic is usually pretty annoying.  But today we were on a mission (well, ok, I was on a mission).  I have a new obsession lately, and I figured I could find exactly what I wanted somewhere in Erie (it is the third largest city in PA afterall!).

So what's my obsession?  To get every single solid color of Red Heart Super Saver yarn.  Why is that my obsession?  Ugh...  *tries to look not in the least bit crazy*  Because I feel like I need every color in order to be a good plastic canvas designer.  If I don't have every color, how will I know that I'm using the best colors in my designs?!  Yes, that's actually how my logic works in my head.

So anyway, we started at Joann's because I had a pretty good coupon (25% off my entire purchase).  And even though the Erie Joann's was much bigger than our local Joann's, they didn't have any more yarn colors.  It was pretty disappointing.  So then we went to Walmart, because their price of Super Saver yarn is the best I can find ($2.88), and I was hoping maybe they'd have more colors.  Nope.  They had the same colors as my local Walmart.  Ugh!

Well, at this point, my hubby decides he needs some art supplies, so we head over to AC Moore.  I figure I may as well go check out the yarn while he's getting his stuff.  What could it hurt, right?  First, I was surprised to see that they have three full isles of yarn there.  And then I noticed the entire back wall was Super Saver yarn.  And 4 for $10!  And then my eyes lit upon the many many colors that I have been hunting for!  Light sage, pale plum, country blue, Aruba sea, Windsor blue, and lots more!!  After I filled my arms with as many skeins as I could carry, I went looking for my hubby, who at the sight of me, ran off for some baskets.  Lol, I filled two baskets with yarn.  I must have looked like a freak.

Here's my haul:

I almost filled up my yarn sample cards.  Just four colors to go!

I also picked up some spools of thin metallic ribbon.  I can't find good metallic yarn that I like, so I figured maybe I'd try this ribbon to see if it's any better.  I'll let you know if it is!

If anyone's interested, the sale at AC Moore is going on for a couple more days. 

Free Friday: Bat Magnet

I know how hard it is to find free plastic canvas patterns on the internet (ones that are legally free, anyway), and I decided to do something about that.  I thought posting a new free pattern every Friday on my blog was an awesome way to give back to the PC addicts who are looking for new free patterns.  I have problems with commitment though so I can't promise I'll post a pattern every Friday, just that new patterns will definitely show up on Friday!  

Scary Bat Magnet

 

Gravestone Magnets

I have a new listing at Etsy!

Spooky Gravestone Magnets Plastic Canvas Pattern

My First Sale!

Well, I finally made my first pattern sale!  It's not much; just a $4 pattern sold on Etsy.  But it proves to me that I can sell these ideas of mine!

Here's what I sold:

The Witch Is In Plastic Canvas Pattern - $4 on Etsy

Unashamed Plastic Canvas Freak

When I was growing up, crafting was really uncool.  I mean, isn't that what fusty old grannies do while watching soap operas?  I'm sure everyone remembers getting a handmade present from a grandma or auntie that was made with love, but you were just too embarrassed to be seen with it in public (think Ralphie's bunny pj's  from A Christmas Story). 

Nowadays, crafting is pretty darn cool.  You can go to any hipster cafe and find cool chicks (and some guys too) knitting or crocheting, or at the very least, wearing handmade items they bought from Etsy.  Let's not get started on all the amazingly cool DIY home decor ideas you can find on Pinterest.  It's how you let the world know that you're different, you're creative, you don't shop at Walmart!  Except for supplies, of course.