Craftzine.com blog: September 2007 Archive

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Archives: September 2007

September 30, 2007

Google Map of Crafty Portland

CraftyPod's Sister Diane is always ahead of the pack when it comes to helping crafters in creative ways. Her latest undertaking? She just put together this super-useful Google Map of Crafty Portland, featuring entries for all the handmade boutiques, supply shops, and other areas of interest she could think of. Hopefully this kicks off a trend for cities across the nation--it sure would make traveling more fun! Link.

Horror Manor Toilet Paper Cover

Flickr user Mulle-Maus has whipped up a hilarious toilet paper cover she calls "Horror Manor". She'll have a pattern available soon, just in time for Halloween. [via] Link.

Cardboard Cat Loungers

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TreeHugger reports on these swanky recycled cardboard cat loungers by Marmalade Pets, which can be easily turned into a DIY project like our Catnip Castle from CRAFT: 01. Link.

From the pages of CRAFT:
Catnipcastle
CRAFT: 01 - "Catnip Castle" by Julie Szabo pgs 94-101 Digital Edition subscribers can read the full article here. Link.

Don't miss an issue! Subscribe to CRAFT Magazine today and get 4 quarterly issues delivered to your door. - Link.

September 29, 2007

101 - Homemade Fabric Flip-Flops

Bunny slippers are cute and all, but what if you'd prefer some at-home footwear that's more stylish and versatile? Lady Harvatine shows us how to use an old pair of flip-flops to whip up a new pair made from fabric. Check out the entire tutorial on her blog. Link.

Greeting Card Brooches

Happy House Quilts has come up with a clever way to present a lovely brooch to someone--mounted on a greeting card! Snap one up for yourself in her Etsy shop. Link.

September 28, 2007

SensorBib Upright Bass Augmentation

Spencer Russell created a "sleeve" for his upright bass to house electronic sensors which detect his position relative to the instrument. The sensors use an Arduino board to communicate with a computer running PD (PureData) to translate the sensor information into sound. He used Blender and QCad to make a 3D model of his bass in order to create a pattern for his fabric sleeve. He'll be at October's Dorkbot NYC if you want to see this in person. Link.

CRAFT's Harajuku Punk Shirt Project on HP's Community Wiki

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Hey Crafters! We are so excited to partner up with HP and their HP Community Wiki featuring the new "What do you have to say" campaign -- you know, those cool ads featuring uber-talented singer/fashion designer Gwen Stefani. Well, we all know Gwen's love of Harajuku fashion so to follow along with that theme, we've posted up on the wiki our own Harajuku Punk Shirt by Diana Eng from CRAFT: 03. In this project, you'll learn how to sew your own shirt and collage/embellish it by printing designs from your computer! Diana gives you all the steps you need and you can download existing graphics designed by her friend Thomas Moon to make the same shirt she's wearing above. We'll be adding more projects in our Craftzine area in the weeks to come and I'll be sure to blog about it here so you'll know when they are up. For now, check out Harajuku Punk Shirt project on the HP Community Wiki here. Link.

By the way, you too can join in on the fun! There are lots of digital crafts projects being featured on the HP Community Wiki from learning how to print on fabric to great photography tips, and projects from Gwen Stefani herself. While you're there, why not sign up and add your own projects into the mix! Visit the homepage here to find out more about the HP Community Wiki. Link.

Tinymeat's iPod Cozies

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Etsy's Most Wonderful Things introduced us to tinymeat's Etsy store where she sells some of the cutest iPod cozies featuring artists like Helena Garcia (left) and Emily Martin of The Black Apple (right). See more cool wares at the tinymeat Etsy store. [ via ] Link.

Cut & Paste Digital Design Tournament in San Francisco this Saturday, Sept 29

If you are in the San Francisco area, don't miss the Cut & Paste Digital Design Tournament happening Saturday at 8pm at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (701 Mission Street @ 3rd, 415-978-2700). For more information on the event and to buy tickets, visit the Cut & Paste site. Link.

Related:
Cut & Paste Digital Design Tournament 2007: More info on the rest of the events happening around the country- Link.

CRAFT Pattern Podcast: Ethnic Knitting Discovery - Knit Headbands of Norway by Donna Druchunas

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This week's CRAFT Pattern Podcast is the Knit Headbands of Norway, an excerpt from the new book, Ethnic Knitting Discovery: The Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and The Andes by Donna Druchunas. I love Donna's new book because she gives us the history behind certain knitting patterns and motifs that are created by certain countries. This easy to knit headband shows you three pattern motifs from Norway you can knit: the Saint Andrew's Cross, Snowflake, and Diamonds. As you know with my previous posts this summer on Travel with Craft Books (here and here), we are continuing this theme with this book, but with a greater sense of historical technique. It's so fascinating to read how certain patterns and techniques develop in certain areas based on climate and think of how the pass orally through families and towns for generations. More on this book on Monday where CRAFT is a part of the Ethnic Knitting Discovery Blog Book Tour and I'll be talking with Donna more about this fantastic book.

Download this week's CRAFT pattern PDF - Link.

Subscribe to the CRAFT podcast and get this pattern and other CRAFT content delivered automatically via iTunes - Link.

TransPlastic Furniture

Brazilian designers the Campana Brothers have an upcoming exhibition in London of TransPlastic, plastic chairs and lamps set in natural fiber. I've never seen plastic chairs look so lovely or comfortable! - [via] Link.

Jill Bliss Exhibt at Relish at Home in Berkeley on Saturday, Sept 29

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Congrats to our friends at Relish at Home for their 2 year anniversary! Come to their new location at 2703 7th Street #112 (at Pardee) in Berkeley on Saturday, Sept 29 for the celebration and opening of Jill Bliss' new art exhibit, Tides and Trees, from 7pm to 10pm. For more info, visit the Relish at Home site. Link.

Farmer Fox Knit Pattern

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Ariadne Knits is carrying a cute new pattern "Farmer Fox" by Montreal designer Jennie Eveleigh Lamond. His swanky overalls, socks and hanky come with the pattern ($4.50). Link.

Plush House Ornament Tutorial

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Here's a cute little project made by toque on Craftster. In her tutorial she shows you how to make a cute plush house oranment that can be the mini-me version of your home. She made it as a gift and it's such a thoughtful one as the holidays will be soon just around the corner. Link.

Vintage National Geographic Collage Art

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Here's a cool looking cut and paste collage by sjef.nu, made from a vintage issue of National Geographic. You can also download a PDF of this as a high res A3 poster. Link.

September 27, 2007

Etsy Texas Crafters at Etsy Labs in Brooklyn on Fri and Sat

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The Etsy Texas street team is coming out this month to sell their wares If you're in the Brooklyn neighborhood come on by EtsyLabs (325 Gold St., Brooklyn, NY) for some fresh Texas goods! Friday Sept. 28 from 6pm-8pm and Saturday Sept. 29 from 1pm-9pm. The Texas Street Team is giving away door prizes and representing over 40 Etsy sellers from Texas. For more info, check out The Storque. Link.

Human Flip Book

Erbert and Gerbert's Subs and Clubs has made this incredibly labor-intensive commercial. It's a "flipbook," or stop-motion animation using t-shirts as the individual frames. The site has a great making-of video, too, that shows just how much work went into making this animation. [via] Link.

Customize Your Own Tape Measure

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Learn how to make your own covered tape measure with this tutorial by Tomoneko. The site's all in Japanese but you'll have no problem figuring how to make this with all the great photos. I love the idea of cross-stitching a little motif for the tape measure to make it extra special. Link.

DIY Recycled Paper Curtain

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Apartment Therapy SF reports on SF shop, Cielo, and their recycled paper chain curtain adorning the window and how you can make one easily yourself with old magazines and this $4.99 curtain kit from IKEA. Link.

HOW TO - Make Vegan Candy Corn

The Urban Housewife recently revamped a homemade candy corn recipe from the Epicurious Editor's Blog and turned it vegan (most candy corn contains gelatin, egg whites, and beeswax). The end result is adorable and reportedly delish! Visit her blog for the recipe and tips. Link.

Yeti Embroidery

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Jennine at The Coveted introduces us to the embroidery art of Megan Whitmarsh and her cool Yeti artwork. I love the details and stitching genius. You can read more about Megan's work in the recent Fecal Face interview here or see more of her work on her site here. [ via ] Link.

Recycling Mint Tins into Gift Tin Boxes

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Danny Seo of Simply Green gives us a great tip on more things to do with those Altoid boxes -- turn them into cute little gift tins which you can fill with candy or even jewelry! Link.

Halloween Bento

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Zaaka Life gets in the Halloween spirit with her Halloween Bento above. Look at the little pumpkin shaped carrots! Link.

HOW TO - Make a Mail Caddy from a Record

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Sarah at the Pink of Perfection gives us organization tips as well as a great how-to on making this cool vinyl record mail caddy. Link.

Sewing Two Small Squares

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Me and My Girl shows you how two small squares can help you make a bean bag, doll pillow, sachet, or pincushion with her simple sewing tutorial. Link.

City Sampler - San Francisco/Bay Area

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Hey Crafters in the SF/Bay Area! The Sampler's got a new project, City Sampler.

Here's the details from the site:

City Sampler will focus on artists, crafters and small businesses native to certain locales across the country. Along with samples from Contributors in each city, we'll be including a ton of information, maps, promotional products, postcards and more to give each recipient of the City Sampler a real taste of the local flavor.
The basics of contributing to the City Sampler are:
minimum 10 sample contribution, max 100
promos in all City Samplers, plus promos in the Sampler -- as many promos as you'd like to send!
product photos in the City Sampler Gallery
business info in every City Sampler Guide included in every City Sampler (no matter how many samples you send in)

If your a local crafty biz, find out how you can contribute to the City Sampler to promote your business. - Link.

HOW TO - Peter Pan Collar Tutorial

The Wiksten-Made blog features a wonderful tutorial on adding a Peter Pan collar to a sewing pattern. Just the thing to add a sweet touch to your garments. Link.

Mochimochi's Ninjabun Pattern

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Mochimochi has a new pattern of a the cutest bunny named Ninjabun, who also happens to have two BFF carrot peeps. Get this pattern now for only $5 at the Mochimochi shop. Link.

DIY Halloween Countdown Calendar

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Shannon Bolt shows us how to make a Halloween countdown calendar out of felt to get kids excited for the big day. Link.

Mimi Kirchner's Fabric Postcard Art

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Diane of CraftyPod introduces us to the world of Mimi Kirchner and her beautiful artwork making fabric postcards. Link.

September 26, 2007

The Small Object's Crafty Space

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I always love peeking into other's craft spaces to see how they organize their space. Adorn takes a visit to The Small Object and I love her vintage library card catalog turned into craft organizer! See more photos of her little drawers and compartments galore at the Adorn Blog. Link.

Salt Lick City - Art by Cows

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Seriously, who knew cows were such creators of art? Thanks to Garth at Extreme Craft we are introduced to Salt Lick City, an exhibition devoted to art created by cows licking salt blocks. These blocks are there for cows to get the extra salt and minerals they need. Who knew! Thanks Garth for the skinny -- read on for more info on this moolicious event. (Sorry, couldn't resist that joke!) Link.

Dollhouse Craft Room

Why should human crafters have all the fun? Check out this amazing miniature dollhouse craft room Lala-a-Gogo fixed up for her Blythe dolls. View more of her "Blythe Manor" set on Flickr here. Link.

Related:
• Blythe Cupcake Hat - Link.
• Wearable Blythe - Link.
• Team Sibley at Variety Fair - Link.

Cardboard Box Lamps

Phil @ MAKE writes:

I really like these cardboard box lamps, you could make your own versions with an exacto knife or get real fancy and stamp/laser cut out the shapes...

Cardboard Box Lamps- [via] Link & more.

Rotterdam Party Bus Stop

Klarien Sonderen, a student at Willem De Kooning Akadamie, created this bus stop intervention. She writes:

"I want to create a different atmosphere, some kind of a present, for people on the move in order to make them happy or surprised."

She's in a class called "New Forms of Storytelling," taught by Theo Watson, which addresses narrative in innovative ways, including using the city to tell a story. I'm looking forward to seeing more intriguing work from this group.

Rotterdam Party Bus Stop - Link.

Doggie-Proof Garden Loft

Brooklynites Josh and Lisa modded a prefab loft bed with weatherproof paint and created this attractive raised garden, which keeps plants safe from their chomp-happy dog, Mookie. [via] Link.

My Cute House

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Since moving into a new pad, I'm looking for lots of inspiration online for how to decorate and you can look no further than Flickr with all their great photo groups. In my recent post for FM's Fall Shopping Guide, I show you some of my favorite Flickr groups including My Cute House (pictured above is pinklovesbrown's cute kitchen). Link.

Tissue Box Tutorial

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Lara of Kirin Notebook has a tutorial to make this sleek tissue box cover -- perfectly crafty and stylish at the same time. Link.

Recycled Magazine Coasters

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These recycled magazine coasters were spotted on Apartment Therapy SF but they are the perfect small DIY project and you can use the tutorial for the magazine bowl made by Patricia of A Little Hut to make this. Try your hand at making some and you can even use some of your scrap yarn to braid or crochet a more colorful border. Link.

Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair in Washington DC this Sunday, Sept 30

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Craftybastards Mascot
Don't miss the Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair happening this Sunday, Sept 30 from 10am - 5pm at Marie Reed Learning Center (18th & Wyoming) in the hip Adam Morgan neighborhood of Washington DC. Take a look at the vendor gallery to see all the cool handmade wares that will be on hand at the fair. For more information, visit the Crafty Bastards site. Link.

The Amelia Bag - Crochet Pattern

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Roman Sock has a free pattern to crochet The Amelia Bag, a vintage style looking handbag complete with crochet flower adornment. Link.

Handmade Wedding

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Etsy's The Storque has a great article on "Handmade Wedding" with lots of tips and suggestions on what things you can make and buy so your wedding is handmade and special, just like the wedding dress above designed and modified based off a Burda pattern. Link.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

Amy of Angry Chicken gives us a recipie for her chocolate chip pumpkin muffins. These good lookin' things caught my eye this morning and I'm looking forward to making this tasty healthy treat. Link.

Halloween Cross-Stitch Pattern: Chef-o-Lantern

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Get this fantastic free Halloween cross-stitch pattern by Oksana of this busy Chef-o-Lantern Spookbook. Link.

Pinwheel Hair Bow Tutorial

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A Little Moore has a tutorial on how to make this pinwheel hair bow. Link.

September 25, 2007

Saucy Louise: Japanese Craft Books and Supplies

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Amy of The Hook and I points us to our new addiction, Saucy Louise, an English site that sells Japanese craft books and supplies. Amy also mentions that the owner of the site is in Japan and is also willing to find specific books, magazines, or supplies you may be looking for. [ via ] Link.

HOW TO - Sketch

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Trumpetvine Travels has part 2 up of her How I Sketch series. I love the step-by-step process she writes with patient directions, better than most drawing books I've got. Also, the Trumpetvine Travel Zine vol 1 and 2 are available for PDF download. Link.
Related:
DIY Portable Art Kit - Link.