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November 14, 2009
Price Chart Necklaces
This is Plot sells these handmade necklaces that reflect the historical price charts of different materials. Shows above is gold v. oil. They're also available in just gold, just silver, silver v. oil, and lead. [via information aesthetics]
Posted by Becky Stern |
Nov 14, 2009 11:26 AM
Jewelry |
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This Winter's Hot Accessory: The Snood, Moebius or Infinity Scarf
Knitting Daily covers this winter's hottest accessory, the snood, moebius, and infinity scarf. Learn how to knit a moebius and infinity scarf with Adina Klein on Knitting Daily TV and download the free pattern for the Dove Moebius Scarf and Hat pictured above. [via Twitter InterweaveNews]
Here's more photos and projects for inspiration:
Pictured clockwise: Hoodie Devoted by Laura Irwin from Boutique Knits, Pfeiiffer Falls Hooded Scarf designed by Anne Kuo Lukito from Interweave Knits Winter 2008, Free Pattern: Mossy Cowl designed by Katie Himmelbeg from Interweave Crochet Spring 2007, Never Wimpy Wimple by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts from Lace Style edited by Pam Allen and Ann Budd, and Nomad Hat and Scarf designed by Kat Coyle Interweave Knits Fall 2007
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu |
Nov 14, 2009 07:00 AM
Fashion, Knitting, Patterns |
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YarnCraft Nominated for People's Choice Podcast Award
The YarnCraft podcast run by our friends Zontee and Liz of Lion Brand Yarn are up for a People's Choice Podcast Award in the "Cultural/Arts" category. Voting just opened today through Nov 30th. Vote and show your crafting support!
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu |
Nov 13, 2009 10:00 PM
Announcements |
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Book Review: Spirit Animals by Stephanie Iris Weiss
Handmade gifts are always meaningful, but infusing your gifts with symbolic meaning takes them to the next level. Enter a wonderful animal-filled resource in the form of Spirit Animals: Unlocking the Secrets of Our Animal Companions by Stephanie Iris Weiss (Chronicle Books). This delightful little 5×7 book is a veritable pocket companion of animal symbolism defined. There are 40 entries altogether, most of them animals with a few insects and reptiles thrown in for good measure. Each entry has a section on Personality, Spiritual Origins, and Guiding Powers. And each has its very own illustration, representing the text, drawn by one of nine talented contributing illustrators. This lends a lot of visual interest to the book since all of their styles are so unique and different from one another. Here's the picture that accompanies the deer, drawn by Lisa Congdon:
I first checked out the book after coming back from a solo backpacking trip during which I was repeatedly visited by a hummingbird. Each animal is given a quick-reference description at top, and the hummingbird is "The Relentless Pleasure-Seeker." Under Personality, Weiss writes, "The only bird that can hover and fly backward, forward, up, or down, the hummingbird is incredibly adaptable. .... This incredible stamina allows the hummingbird to tirelessly seek out nectar from every source. These spritelike creatures are a direct link to pure, unadulterated happiness." Under Spiritual Origins, Weiss shares Mayan views of hummingbirds and also adds, "In Mexican folklore, the hummingbird symbolizes luck in love." And finally, under Guiding Powers, Weiss suggests,
If you're in need of some serious joy, consult with the hummingbird. This creature shows us how to find hidden happiness and to see the best in people. It's the ideal spirit animal for those moments when you're overwhelmed by darkness and focused on the negatives. The hummingbird will show you how to find your sweet spot again. It takes perseverance and ingenuity to find your bliss once you've lost it. The hummingbird has endless stores of both, so if someone you love is feeling blue, call upon the hummingbird to bring back his or her laughter.
Whatever level of importance you choose to give to these words, for me, it was intriguing and entertaining to read them. And incidentally, I do have a friend who is feeling quite blue. I will certainly try and weave a hummingbird or two into the next present I make for her. If you need some inspiration for your crafts, this book is great to get the wheels turning.
Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 13, 2009 05:00 PM
Books and Magazines |
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Anatomical Vegetables
If only everyone's intestines could be so gingery... anatomical vegetarian ad [via BoingBoing]
Posted by Becky Stern |
Nov 13, 2009 04:00 PM
Arts & Design, Design |
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How-To: Put Together a Fiber Book
Last month, I posted about Million Little Stitches amazing embroidered fiber book. She's just posted a tutorial on how she bound her fiber book. I love seeing embroidery being presented in this way.
Posted by Rachel Hobson |
Nov 13, 2009 03:00 PM
Hand Embroidery |
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Hawaiian Baby Quilt
I have finally finished the Hawaiian baby quilt I've been working on. It's been my back-burner project for, oh, almost four years! The baby it's intended for is now almost three and not really a baby anymore, but hopefully he'll like it anyway.
While it has certainly been a lot of work (the central portion is all hand-quilted), it's the most satisfying project I've ever worked on. The thread color isn't consistent, the applique is crooked, and I have a lot to learn about mitered corners, but I'm ready to start another, this time for my own baby. Hopefully it will be done by the time he goes to college.
Here's a closer look at the stitching on the back side.
And here it is in all its glory.
If you want to make your own (and I highly recommend it--quilting is very meditative and also a great way to pass the time when you're on the phone or chatting it up with someone), check out our Hawaiian Quilt Project from the pages of CRAFT, Volume 02.
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Nov 13, 2009 02:00 PM
Babies, Quilting, Sewing, Sewing Machines |
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Maya Marom's cooking blog, Bezakalim
The other day I came across Maya Marom's cooking blog, Bezakalim, and her photos are gorgeous. They capture those small, satisfying moments that, when added up, make cooking such a soothing activity: The vibrant purple stain left on a worn wooden chopping block after cutting a red onion, ripples of sweetened condensed milk being poured over rich vanilla ice cream, the dry ingredients in a bowl before they're mixed, creating a patchwork landscape of peaks and valleys. The blog is written in Hebrew, which I can't read, so in order to find out more about it, I wrote to Maya. She wrote back:
"Bazek" means "dough" in Hebrew, and "alim" means "violent." This is an intentional misspelling of a bazekalim which means "puff pastry." A kind of a word-play to show off my no-fuss recipe policy.The blog is directed at people who can't cook, or don't like to cook. I take step-by-step pictures of everything, and test each recipe a lot of times to make sure it is completely foolproof. I also designed and built the blog from scratch (I am a web-designer by day).
I am from Israel, and have been running the blog for three years now. Last year, I was contacted by the editor of Yediot Ahronot (Israel's leading daily newspaper) and was offered to write a weekly food column, which is now published every Wednesday in the lifestyle section.
Although I feel the pictures pretty much speak for themselves, if you would like a little help decoding the Hebrew recipes, you may use the Google Translate function. it is far from perfect, and the page has left-to-right issues, but better than total gibberish :)
Posted by Laura Cochrane |
Nov 13, 2009 02:00 PM
Food, Recipe |
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CRAFT Video: Klutz Capsters
Since it's our special Super Crafty Kidz month, sponsored by Klutz, lets join Rachel Hobson and her kids as they make the Klutz Capsters! They're fun bottle caps with pictures and charms inside. Rachel says this is a great project to have "in your back pocket" for when your kids say "Mom, I'm bored!" Everything you need comes with the book!
Subscribe to the CRAFT podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video, or check us out on YouTube!
Posted by Becky Stern |
Nov 13, 2009 12:00 PM
CRAFT Podcast, CRAFT Videos, Super Crafty Kidz |
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Dia de los Muertos Set to Girls
This video of Dia de los Muertos happening in the streets of San Francisco's Mission district, posted by YouTube user documentdocument, is an otherworldly creation. To me, it embodies so many wonderful things about the art and craft of life and death. The participants of the event are an almost overwhelming subject. The face paint transforms the living into the dead, masks identity, and unifies the crowd. The costumes range from quite simple to overly elaborate, and the candles, props, and dance all complete the atmosphere.
The film itself is a spectacular piece of storytelling. Splicing in bridges and tunnels seems like the perfect metaphor for crossing over after death. The impact of this piece is made even more poignant by the way that the musicians and dancers in the parade are visually rendered silent with the musical overlay. We can see the drummer playing, see the horns pass through, watch the accordian bellows open and close, but we can't ever hear a single one of their notes. This helps the film replicate how the memories of the dead can flash in our minds, but never really be heard again.
[via Mission Mission]
Posted by Brookelynn |
Nov 13, 2009 11:00 AM
Events, Halloween, Video |
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Intern's Corner: Crochet-Along Panda Party
Every other week, CRAFT's awesome interns tell about the projects they're building in the Craft: Labs, the trouble they've gotten into, and what they'll make next.
By Lindsey North, projects intern
In September we launched a new feature: the CRAFT Crochet-Along brought to you by Lion Brand Yarn. Readers followed along online, live with Tamie Snow from Roxycraft, to crochet a cool Fuzzy Panda Amigurumi in three lessons, then entered their finished pandas in the CRAFT Crochet-Along Flickr Group for a crafty prize giveaway. Tamie's the author of Tiny Yarn Animals, she's extremely talented, and she created this fun pattern just for us CRAFT readers. Pretty sweet!
Download the Fuzzy Panda Amigurumi pattern in PDF format
It's a wonderful project for someone who's always working on the same types of knit and crochet projects. If you feel like you're endlessly making hat after scarf after afghan after hat, you should really try it. If you already crochet, it's a walk in the park, a lovely sunny day when the leaves are starting to turn and fall from the trees. And if you're new to crochet, the stitches are easy to learn, and as long as you use your stitch markers you can be confident your panda will turn out just like it's supposed to. Tamie gives row-by-row instructions the whole way.
So after I completed my little top-heavy, adorably fuzzy panda, I decided to challenge myself by trying to change the scale and making a panda party. At the moment, I'm playing around with both scale and color -- here's my original Pinkie and a larger-scale Rusty -- and I encourage everyone to do the same. Have fun with this cute little ball of fluff, make it your own.
Enjoy the other Crochet-Alongs in the future. It's a great way to make the most of the free time you may have in this busy season to do something creative and fun!
Your CRAFT intern,
Lindsey
- Related: CRAFT Crochet-Along home page
Posted by Keith Hammond |
Nov 13, 2009 10:03 AM
CRAFT Projects, Crochet, Crochet-Along, Intern's Corner |
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Accupressure Soft Circuit Garment
E-pressed is a jacket that uses a galvanic skin response sensor to measure your need for acupressure. The spots where a friend might help relieve your "negative emotions" are highlighted with LEDs and a graphic, and they contain soft buttons to sense massage. I agree with Syuzi @ Fashioning Technology when she says this project is "an interesting exploration on how wearable technology can become used either as training tools for alternative medical therapy or home therapy," but I'm not sure I buy into the emotional "inner state" benefit just yet. Hannah Perner-Wilson's Massage Me jacket, which turns massaging your friend into a video game (fun for everyone)!
Posted by Becky Stern |
Nov 13, 2009 09:20 AM
Fashion Tech, Soft Circuits |
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How-To: Retro Felt Christmas Trees
I've been planning to make some fun, inexpensive holiday decorations this year, and I'm definitely going to try these retro felt Christmas trees from Felt-O-Rama. [via True Up]
Posted by Rachel Hobson |
Nov 13, 2009 08:00 AM
Holiday projects |
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Three Scoops, Please!
This three-scoop ice cream cone was crocheted in the late 70s by Pepperknit's mom. [Via Inspire me, now!]
Posted by Becky Stern |
Nov 13, 2009 07:15 AM
Amigurumi, Crochet, Vintage |
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How-To: T-Shirt And Doily Scarf
Back in September, I shared the story of a group of Portland crafters who were rallying around to support a beloved local craft store. They've released special projects each week, showing things you can make with items you can find at the Knittn' Kitten or your own local thrift or craft store. So far, the only way to get a copy of these project sheets is to visit the Knittn' Kitten in Portland, but CRAFT has been given special permission to share the final project with our readers. This t-shirt and doily scarf from Bridget of Eyes Aflame is a great way to use up simple items you can easily find in your stash or at the thrift store. Feeling inspired by the project? Don't forget to check out and enter our Me, My Scarf & I contest for your chance to win a SINGER serger!
Download the T-Shirt and Doily Scarf Instructions PDF
Posted by Rachel Hobson |
Nov 13, 2009 06:00 AM
Refashion |
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Winners of the Jane Austen's Sewing Box Giveaway
Congratulations to Alice in Seattle, Wash., and Laurel in Boulder, Colo., for each winning a copy of Jane Austen's Sewing Box. (That's right, there are two winners; there were so many passionate responses one extra lucky person is getting my ever-so-gently-used review copy.) Thanks to everyone who commented! I loved reading each and every response, and there were an overwhelming number. It warmed the cockles of my heart to think of the impact Miss Austen has had on so many of us.
For those of you who would like your own copy, Jennifer Forest pointed me to the book's listing on Amazon UK, where it seems to be easier to get your hands on it.
And for those of you on the east coast, be sure to check out the Jane Austen exhibit at the Morgan Library in New York City. I wish I could go! A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy sounds like an incredible show for any Austen fan.
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Nov 12, 2009 10:00 PM
Books and Magazines, Reviews |
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Felted Wool Dryer Balls
Recently I heard that felted wool balls are great alternative to dryer sheets. Apparently they reduce your drying time, soften your laundry, and eliminate static cling. There are places like Stoney Mountain Farm who sell handmade wool balls made from the wool grown on their farm. But for folks who want to try their hand at making their own, there are some good tutorials online. Diane Gilleland recently posted pictures of ones she made using a tutorial by Judy Coates Perez. Both ladies offer great advice and pretty pictures, like the one above by Judy. I suppose for the dryer, I would use natural, undyed wool. Can't wait to try this and see how well it works.
Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 12, 2009 05:00 PM
Fiber Art |
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DIY Stroller Handle for Toddlers
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Whitney at The Rookie Moms explains how you can make a simple stroller handle for your older child (3 yrs and up) to hold onto when you are toting around your little one.
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu |
Nov 12, 2009 04:00 PM
Kids |
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Victorian Gothic Lolita Mini
I can't get over how fun this skirt by blackmirrordesigns is. Not that my booty needs any more volume, but I'd still totally rock it! Coveting.
Posted by Brookelynn |
Nov 12, 2009 02:00 PM
Fashion |
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BurdaStyle: Lindsey Cape
Sew up this Lindsey Cape with the pattern from BurdaStyle that's available for download for only $4. I love the look and I think it's probably way easier (and faster) to sew than a coat with sleeves.
From the site:
This Cape, made out of maroon herringbone wool (lined with red herringbone) has this great English country living feel, that makes you think of a walk in the woods, followed by sitting by a crackling fire with your friends. A creative transition piece from a light jacket to your big wintercoat, this Cape can be made out of any weight of wool.
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu |
Nov 12, 2009 02:00 PM
Fashion, Patterns, Sewing |
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