Craftzine.com blog: January 2008 Archives

« December 2007 | Main | February 2008 »

Archives: January 2008

January 2008 Home | Next >

January 31, 2008

Bead Simple + Giveaway at Belle Epoque

2231129530 14626Dcded
Nancy at Belle Epoque has a nice treat for one lucky winner! Simply pre-order Susan Beal's new Bead Simple book, then come back to her site to comment to enter a chance at winning a stash of beads and a Bead Simple Necklace kit. Looks like some awesome stuff! Link.

KnitKnit on the radio!

51Hb476YWnL._SS500_.jpg

I heard Sabrina Gschwandtner on the radio this morning, talking about her book KnitKnit and rebel knitters of the world. The segment is only a few minutes long, but fun to listen to if you missed her on her book tour! Link

HOW TO - Make a Keyhole Sweater Top

Craftster user SmarmyClothes turned an oversized and unflattering sweater into this fitted and saucy keyhole top. Visit the following link for more of her photos, explanations and links to tutorials on making this top and other cool items of clothing. Link.

Appliquéd Deer Quilt

Andrea Zuill has been sharing her appliqué and embroidery tips on her blog, Badbirds, as she explains her work process making this gorgeous "White Deer" quilt. (Be sure to check all her entries under the "Quilting" category on her blog for further inspiration and info.) Link.

HOW TO - Do Stranded Knitting

Erin points us to the 144 Inches of I-Cord blog, which recently featured a three-part series explaining how to do stranded knitting. Very handy! Link.

Blogs We Love: Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories

This week we Craft bloggers are sharing with you our favorite blogs (besides Craft and Make, of course!). I caught up with Lenore Edman from Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories to talk about her philosophies on creativity and what she does at EMSL. She runs her blog and small business with her husband, Windell Oskay, where together they post new and fun DIY projects ranging from racing toothbrush robots to edible googly eyes.

Lenore is an inspiring creator. She writes:

Most people who make things tend to specialize in a certain area, whether it be electronics, yarn, paper or food. Whether you call something shop or home ec. doesn't really change that at the root, you're learning a set of skills for creating things. I'm a liberal arts kind of Jane-of-all-trades: I can do a little of everything, and I apply it all everywhere, but I don't have any specifically marketable skills. I'm not afraid of fitting a fabric cover to a plywood frame or of putting electronics in a plush toy. I think translation stages are cute, and I love vintage packaging materials. I adore bearings and am not afraid to pack them with grease. The most important thing for me is to have someone to brainstorm with and to not be afraid of any ideas, no matter how far fetched or ridiculous they may seem.

Lenore and Windell publish online how-to guides for their projects, and believe very strongly in sharing what they love:

What I do is mash up a bunch of different making techniques to implement ideas. I'm incredibly lucky in that my techniques mesh well with and complement my partner's techniques. We get to combine more methods than most makers. And what we do that sets us aside from most people who make things is to write up what we do and share it with everyone else. It takes more time to make [projects] when you're dedicated to documenting the process; so why do it? What I really love is finding out that someone else benefited from the information I've put out there. It is incredibly satisfying to find out that a project I wrote up inspired someone to try something new. Because that is what it is all about: not being afraid to try something new, whether it be with food, sewing, electronics, or whatever it is that makes you happy.

Lenore comes from a family with a strong do-it-yourself tradition, and was always encouraged to experiment throughout her childhood. Innovation comes from necessity -- Lenore learned to maintain her bike for when she couldn't afford a car. She and Windell want to propagate the confidence to experiment with new techniques to get your ideas out there. Their projects and kits available at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories are an inspiration to anyone skirting the maker/crafter line. - Link.

Related:

Blogs We Love: A Ervilha cor de Rosa - Link.
Blogs We Love: Oh Joy! - Link.
Blogs We Love: Knick Knacks & Ric Rac - Link.

Brooch-Covered Mirror

Suzy (aka GeorgiaPeachez) recently posted some colorful work-in-progress photos of a stodgy mirror she's been making over. A coat of fresh white paint and a ton of vintage enamel brooches are turning a ho-hum mirror into a breath of fresh air! Link.

Related:
Brooch Display - Link.

HOW TO - Make a Fabric Pinwheel

Chickpea Sewing Studio shares a PDF tutorial for making these eye-catching fabric pinwheels, which she turned into a fun mobile. Link.

Valentine's Day - MAKE + CRAFT Get It Together!

V Day Promo 2008 01
Are you looking for the perfect Valentine's Day gift for the special one in your life? This time for Valentine's Day on February 14th, spread the DIY love with a gift subscription to CRAFT or MAKE Magazines! We've made it easy with a PDF Valentine gift card you can print out and send to your special one, your best friend, mom and dad, or anyone you wish!