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Project: Needlepoint Purse

By Danielle Thompson

I really love the look of vintage needlepoint (especially needlepoint handbags!) from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and wanted to try my hand at needlepoint myself. So I grabbed some plastic canvas from the craft store, got to stitching, and soon realized: needlepoint is pretty easy! Even the simplest stitches produce a beautiful effect. A lot of people associate ugly designs from the 80s when they think of plastic canvas, but it's a great way to introduce yourself to the gorgeous world of needlepoint. The canvas is easy to use - it has a large weave so projects work up very fast, and it's not finicky like fabric canvas can be. I've put together a tutorial for making a stylish needlepoint purse with a design that's a modern twist on this favorite from the past.

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Four Years of Making

Dear beloved CRAFT readers,

Today is my last day as Senior Video Producer for MAKE & CRAFT. The past four years have been, undoubtedly, the best times of my life so far. I'm immensely thankful to have been a part of such a dedicated and talented team -- they're like family to me. While you won't be seeing me on the blog, Make: Live, or CRAFT videos any longer, this isn't so much "goodbye" as "see you around." I'll always be a proud member of the maker community.

After a little time off, I'll be taking a position at Adafruit Industries, heading up the wearable electronics group, and of course, you know I can't resist making videos. I'm delighted to dig into more ambitious projects than ever before, so I hope you'll check them out.

I thought I'd share some of my "greatest hits" videos from over the years, so I've compiled a list over on MAKE.

You can check out my entire body of video work for MAKE/CRAFT in the Becky's Workshop YouTube playlist, and if you want to keep up with my projects, follow me on Twitter. See you around the tubes!

How-To: Lorax Mustache Pillow

The 25th anniversary of Earth Day happened while I was in college, and happened to be part of an environmental group on campus. As part of our festivities to celebrate, I read The Lorax at a local coffee shop. Yes, it was very 90s of me, but it was a story I'd loved since I was a kid. I'll be curious to see how the new Lorax movie turns out. I'm hopeful after laughing heartily at the previews. Nikki of Whimsy Love has a fun project for creating a mod pillow showcasing the iconic bushy mustache of the Lorax.

How-To: Watercolor Paper Roses

These gorgeous watercolor roses from Lucy at Craftberry Bush make me feel like warm weather and sunshine are just around the corner. (Take that, Punxsutawney Phil!) The muted colors and the faux mulberry paper crinkles make them feel both vintage and completely fresh, which is just my style.

You springtime brides may want to bookmark this one—paper roses would definitely make lovely DIY centerpieces and bouquets!

More:

Garden Ladder Lap Quilt Pattern From Daisy Janie

I love this dynamic new quilt pattern that Jan of Daisy Janie is offering over on her blog.

With 8 fat quarters (plus backing & binding fabrics), you can make this simple and pretty Garden Ladder Lap Quilt. In my mock-up, I used 1 fat quarter from each of the 8 fabric designs in Daisy Janie's Tilly organic fabric collection. Tilly is inspired by my Mom, her 1970s garden and flowery decor, and I was eager to design a FQ lap quilt pattern that drew from that same garden vibe. I really like the natural flow throughout, and from one side to the other.

How-To: Valentine Surprise Gift Ball

This project from our own Lish over on MetroParent creates a fun way to give sweet little Valentine trinkets with a bit of anticipation as the recipient unravels the ball. She shows how to take a collection of small gifts and wrap them into a surprise gift ball that reveals each gift as it comes undone. See how to make it yourself over on MetroParent.

Related:
Easter Egg Surprise Ball

Water Droplets Dancing Around a Knitting Needle in Space

Astronaut Dr. Don Pettit is currently orbiting the earth onboard the International Space Station, and is known for regularly sharing his cool on-orbit experiments. His latest experiment made me particularly excited, because it showed that there are craft tools in space! Pettit reveals that in his "crew preference" he has a few knitting needles. He admits to not having a lot of time for "knittin' up here" but goes on to show a rad physics demonstration that includes droplets of water actually orbiting around the knitting needle. It's hard to capture the beauty of this process in a still shot, so be sure to watch the video to learn all about why this happens. I imagine you'll also enjoy Pettit's charming way of saying "knittin' needle." I'll also be dreaming of a day when knitting needles and embroidery hoops can be used for both cool physics experiments and crafting in space someday. Thank you for sharing, Dr. Pettit!

How-To: Heart Applique Valentine's Day Tee

How cute is this love is in the air tee tutorial that Shauna from shwin&shwin shared on iCandy Handmade? I especially like that it's a Valentine's Day shirt that's sweet without being too cutesy, so it can be worn any time of the year.

Even if a Valentine's Day shirt isn't in your future, you might want to check out the post anyway. Her interfacing applique technique completely solved a problem with one of my own sewing projects this morning, and it just might help you out too. I love the crafting community—it never fails to teach me something new!

Red Velvet Shortbread Cookies

This weekend Haley shared this great photo from Jessica Wilson, AKA Jek in the Box found in our Craft Flickr pool. If you'd like to make these tasty cookies yourself, check out the recipe over on her blog, Scrumdilly Dilly.

Recipe: Sweet Heart Cheesecake

Here's a festive dessert for anyone having a Valentine's party. Beth at Hungry Happenings shares her recipe for these flirty looking cakes made to look like over-sized Sweethearts candy. A definite conversation piece!

How-to Hang Big Artwork

How to hang big art.jpg

A few weeks ago I showed you Joanna Goddard's DIY Bedroom Make-Over filled with DIY's from her friend, Jenny. Jenny is now sharing these DIYS with us in her blog Little Green Notebook. First up is a great way to hang extra-large piece of art on the cheap.

How-To: Ponytail Holder Beaded Necklace

Like Shannon at Madigan Made, I find it hard to resist the siren call of a good dollar store. You never know when a new craft might jump out at you! Case in point: she made this fantastic ombre beaded necklace using ponytail holder beads! I love big, chunky necklaces, and I'd never guess that this one started out as part of a dollar store ponytail holder pack. (Her idea of using sanding to give some beads a more matte finish is especially brilliant.) Follow the link to see the full tutorial.

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Most recent posts: page 3 of 6