Craftzine.com blog: March 2008 Archive

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Archives: March 2008

March 31, 2008

Late-Summer Craft Classes with The Small Object

Sarah Neuburger from The Small Object will be teaching a few craft classes this September at the gorgeous-looking Squam Art Workshops in New Hampshire. Registration is happening now and classes are filling up fast! Here's how Sarah describes the classes she'll be teaching:

• The Rubber Stamp Champs, which will be a workshop on carving your own rubber stamps and a discussion of different ways to use them along with working on some of those.
• Chenille Poseable People, which is too much fun and we'll be making many different styles of the vintage inspired dolls and ornaments using my signature wooden bead face and bump chenille bodies along with a slew of super cool accessories.
• The Wooden Spool Doll is the last workshop I will doing at SAW and it is for a new Limited Edition Spool Doll which we will make together and discuss the construction techniques of making a small doll using a wooden spool.

This place looks crazy beautiful, and they offer a wide variety of wonderful-sounding workshops. Find out more at the Squam Art Workshops site.

Win a Monster Eyeball Pincushion

Felting in Fibrespace will be giving away one of these creepy-cool monster eyeball pincushions in a random drawing on Monday, April 7. Just head over to the blog and leave a comment--and be sure to check out the rest of her colorful creations while you're there. Monster Eyeball Pincushion

Bronze Boba Fett PEZ Dispenser

Looking for a way to combine your metal casting skills with your favorite childhood memories? This Bronze Boba Fett PEZ dispenser looks like it'll do the trick. Via Geekologie.

Posted by Becky Stern | Mar 31, 2008 04:00 PM
Homemade, Metalwork | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email Entry

Pez Paintings by Sandymac

Sandymac draws inspiration for her paintings and prints from her toy collection--I love this one, which features two bunny-shaped Pez dispensers. Art by Sandymac

HOW TO - Hide Champagne in a Diaper Cake

Throwing a baby shower? Isabel Kallman made this tutorial for an elegant table centerpiece that's utilitarian for mom-to-be and her guests. Use size 1 diapers to make a "cake" that hides a bottle of champagne!

Posted by Becky Stern | Mar 31, 2008 02:00 PM
Babies, Home and Garden | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email Entry

HOW TO - Make a Knitted Calculator

Katie Park of CaffaKnitted shares her free pattern for making this fun oversized knitted calculator, which also doubles as a throw pillow! Knitted Calulcator Pattern

DIY Weaving Loom

Craftster user Subloke was so inspired to try weaving, she ran to the hardware store and after spending just a little over $20, was able to put together this homemade PVC loom. DIY Weaving Loom

HOW TO - Make a Heat-Resistant Hair Iron Cozy

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Craftster user gatheringtwigs shows you how to make a heat-resistant hair iron cozy, by using the heat-resistant padding from an old oven mit. It's a perfect thing to make for your trips to the gym.

Crochet Flower Necklace

Crochet Necklace
Creativeyarn on Crochet Me has a pattern to make this elegant crochet flower necklace that's beautifully adorned with a button in the center.

HOW TO - Make Video Game Cross Stitch Patterns

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Sprite Stitch shows you how to make video game cross stitch patterns in this simple tutorial.

Button Flower Pin

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Jen points us to artsy-crafty babe's tutorial on making an easy and cute button flower pin.

Sneak Peek: Pitch of the Stitch

Sewn by Blythe has a sneak peek of items from her show, Pitch of the Stitch, opening April 11th at Argyle Fine Art in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I like the batteries for the radio.

Security Envelope Flickr Photo Set

Being Crafty points out josephking's Flickr photo set Security Patterns that is an effort to collect envelope security patterns from around the world. Start scanning and submitting your security envelope patterns right away!

Related
How to Make Inside Out Security Envelopes

March 30, 2008

Crafter Emma Hogbin Speaking at Geek Conference

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If you love knitting and you're a geek too, don't miss Emma Hogbin who will be speaking at LugRadio Live in San Francisco on April 12 at 4pm. It's a very fun look at how to make technology friendly and how we can really get more women using technology. The software of the Internet is made by some pretty cool people out there and one of them, Emma Hogbin, wants you to get more involved in making the Internet a cooler place for crafters. Pictured above is Emma knitting her drupal socks.

Emma writes:

The world of free/open source software creation is incredibly male-dominated. Only 1.5% of open source software developers are women. Any yet many of the craft blogs are powered by open source software. I have one foot in the tech world and one foot in the craft world. Both worlds are able to see an alternate future and create it through variations on the theme of DIY--it's what attracts me to them.

Find out more about what Emma's talk will be at her blog, emmajane.net.

Mr. Funky Interview and Giveaway

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Kristen of Plush You has an interview and giveaway with Mr. Funky! Enter on the Plush You site before April 10th and win a copy of the book Mr. Funky's Super Crochet Wonderful.

March 29, 2008

ThreadHeads - Freehand Machine Embroidery with Girl Popcorn

This week's ThreadHeads takes us to visit Julie Dunbar of Girl Popcorn with an exclusive tutorial on how she creates her awesome embroidery (which is a great way to make an old tee, purse or bag look like refreshed and new).

Cutout Cardboard Art

A reader wrote in about these neat cardboard art made by cutting off the top layer of corrugated cardboard to reveal the inner layer, and adding some color. It ranges from Mario-themed pixel pieces to elaborate portraits of celebrities.

Posted by Becky Stern | Mar 29, 2008 02:00 PM
Arts, Recycle | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email Entry

HOW TO - Knit a Half Round Shawl

Monster Crochet has posted her pattern for knitting a half round shawl. She has used this pattern over the years to create shawls decorated with grilled meat, olives and pimentos, corn dogs and lobsters.

Spring Art Sale in Atlanta, GA this Sunday March 30

Manuels Spring Art
Christy of Indie Craft Experience writes:

Just wanted to let you know about a great art and craft show this Sunday in Atlanta. ICE's organizers and several regular vendors will be participating in the Manuel's Tavern Art Sale, March 30 from noon to 4 p.m. The ING Georgia Marathon route travels right by Manuel's (on North Ave and Freedom Parkway) so go cheer on some runners and then come have a beer and peruse the goods!

Manuel's Tavern
602 N. Highland Ave
Atlanta, GA 30307

Speaking of Indie Craft Experience there's still time to apply! ICE is the largest indie craft market in the Southeast and draws large crowds because of its excellent vendors! The deadline is April 18th. You can fill out the application online.

March 28, 2008

Green Cleaning Kit

The Worsted Witch shares her methods for mixing up and packaging her homemade green cleaning supplies. Love the cute and clever labels!

Spring Classes at the Little Knittery

The new Spring class schedule has been announced at the wonderful LA-area yarn shop The Little Knittery. Learning to knit and crochet is still free, but there's also a nice selection of classes that'll cost you, such as sockmaking, recycled plastic knitting, crocheted bikini, and this cute li'l guy: The Pentapus, based on a comic character by artist Robert Goodin. See the full class list at The Little Knittery's site.

Portable Drawing Desk

Collin @ MAKE reports on a home-modified drawing studio briefcase with felt-lined compartments for drawing/letter writing on the go, complete with dividers that pop out to make a drawing board!

Posted by Becky Stern | Mar 28, 2008 04:00 PM
Arts, Organization | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry

Warhol-Inspired Crocheted Afghan

Craftster user Pesky Pixie created this impressive Warhol-inspired Marilyn Monroe afghan using leftover yarn from other projects and a cabled size J crochet hook.

HOW TO - Tetris Magnets

Brian at Geek Crafts made his own Tetris fridge magnets using very few store-bought materials for such a fun fridge/whiteboard activity. He put up a detailed tutorial so you can make them, too!

Related:

Needlepoint Tetris Fridge Magnets

Posted by Becky Stern | Mar 28, 2008 02:00 PM
101, Home and Garden | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry

Tiny Pies by Lloyd and Lauren

Found this via NotMartha--Lloyd and Lauren show you how to make adorable, portable mini-pies by baking them in small mason jars. Perfect for a Spring picnic!

"Safe Sparkle" Rally in Burbank, April 8

So it turns out that talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres hates glitter. Can you imagine? Naturally this doesn't sit well with Kathy Cano-Murillo--aka the Crafty Chica--who is spearheading a movement to win Ellen over to the sparkly side. It all starts with a glitter-positive rally (complete with craft supplies from Duncan) outside Ellen's television studio in Burbank on April 8. I'll be there supporting the cause in a glitter-painted CRAFT teeshirt, alongside the Crafty Chica herself, members of the LA Craft Mafia, and fun folks like TLC's Mark Montano (author of The Big-Ass Book of Crafts) and Cathie Filian from DIY's Creative Juice! If you'd like to join us, just come on by Ellen's studio at 3000 West Alameda Ave. in Burbank, CA at 12 noon on April 8. For a little more background on this, here's Kathy's open letter to Ellen, from her blog:

"I love you. I've always loved you. So much that I've always had your back through goods times and bad. I love you because you preach love, kindness and equality for all people and things! Which is why your recent segment broke my heart!

Please don't try to get glitter banned! I happen to be a fan of glitter because I feel it shines light both literally and metaphorically. Light is good because it gives people a sense of wonder and hope that they might need at that very moment.

OK, I can totally understand your points - BUT you are talking about "loose" glitter. Please understand that is just one (the most well known) kind of glitter. Not all glitters are the same.

Please don't pass judgment on all glitters based on this one type. Yes, loose glitter can be a headache to deal with. It has no shame, it sticks from person to person, thing to thing, with no remorse. And um, yes, I use it faithfully. And secretly, I kinda like it when one of my flecks spreads to someone else!

HOWEVER - I'm a preacher of "safe sparkle". I teach many workshops and have met many people who don't like loose glitter either, so I educate them on loose glitter alternatives. And I think if you knew about these, you might find it in your heart to come to love glitter."

For more info on the rally, you can check out the press release on the Crafty Chica diary--feel free to comment and let her know if you'll be there!

WHAT: Safe Sparkle Glitter Rally
WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
TIME: Noon to ???
WHERE: NBC Studios, 3000 West Alameda Avenue in Burbank, Calif.
WHO: Anyone who wants to help Ellen find her inner glitter! All are welcome!

Chloe Dao's Design Studio Tour - CRAFT Video Podcast

MP4 Video | QT Video | HD | Subscribe in iTunes

Chloe Elle

I always like looking behind the scenes to find out how a designer, crafter, or artist works. With this CRAFT Video Podcast, we go behind the scenes with Project Runway Season 2 Winner and fashion designer, Chloe Dao. Chloe's boutique and brand Lot 8 in Houston is quite the shopping destination. She designs most of the clothing in her boutique and works hands on throughout the production process from cutting all the fabric and more. We got a chance to be the first to see Chloe's new design studio where she shows us the designs and clothing for her new upcoming wholesale line. Can you believe she used to work in her mom's kitchen and dining room? She was gracious enough to be filmed in her sweats and no makeup, since she and her employees had just completed the Houston AIDS walk that morning. Look for a feature on fashion designer Chloe Dao in a future issue of CRAFT magazine!

With me on the video shoot is Diana Eng fashion designer and Project Runway Season 2 contestant, who you may hear giggle in the background. You can see more photos of our visit in my Flickr set.

Tvt052 01
Chloe's tip on pressing is an important one. Here's a Threads video that shows you the best pressing techniques to make your garments look more finished and professional.

Chloe Runwaydress
This was dress featured in Chloe's runway show for Project Runway (Fall 2006) and is prominently placed in her boutique. Another version of the dress is also displayed in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C.

Crochet Corsage from Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts Lacy Crochet - CRAFT Pattern Podcast

Lacycrochet Crochetflower
Download the Pattern PDF | Subscribe in iTunes

Just in time for Spring, spruce up your wardrobe with this pattern to make the crochet corsage from the book, Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts! Lacy Crochet published by Chronicle Books. You can make two flower options based on the same pattern -- the Gerbera (pictured left) and the Rose. This book is one of my crochet favorites as it brings that beautiful and simple Japanese craft touch to pretty crochet projects for home, clothing, and accessories.

Lacycrochetbook

Recycled Bike Inner Tube Jewelry

Bracelet Earrings Glamshot
Bridget at The Matchbook has a three part series on making recycled bike inner tube jewelry. Learn how to make these earrings and wrist cuff and the process on how to clean up the inner tube.

Adobe Photoshop Express On the Web

Adobephotoshopexpress
Newly launched is Adobe Photoshop Express, a free web application that you can sign up for and get 2 gigs of space to edit and share your photos to your hearts desire. Every demo seemed to have a photo of a dog, so I decided to try out the application with a little doggie dear to my heart, little Lulu. If Photoshop intimidated you before, don't worry with Photoshop Express. The interface is clear and really easy to use. All the function buttons are in a left-hand side bar and you can do all the basics, crop, color correct, remove red-eye, touchup and more. I love playing around with the some of the fun effects like Pop Color. Who knew I could dye Lulu's hair blue in an instant? The application also links into Facebook, Photobucket, and Picasa. You'll also love the speed too. For manipulating a high-res photo, I found the whole application to run pretty fast. One last thing, I will point out is make sure you read the disclaimer well before you sign up and agree to the terms. Agreeing to the service gives Adobe worldwide rights to your photos/content now and in the future. If you're ok with that, then go for it!

Update 3/31: Adobe's Response

Statement for Terms of Service Issues: We've heard your concerns about the terms of service for Photoshop Express beta. We reviewed the terms in context of your comments - and we agree that it currently implies things we would never do with the content. Therefore, our legal team is making it a priority to post revised terms that are more appropriate for Photoshop Express users. We will alert you once we have posted new terms.
Thank you for your feedback on Photoshop Express beta and we appreciate your input.

-Adobe Photoshop Express Team

Update 4/7:
Adobe revised terms of service is now posted!

Scientific Embroidery

Craftster member flossbox created some scientific embroidery. She made one for the law of gravity and one for DNA with more on the way.

Plastic Bag Animals

Wooster Collective has photos of these plastic bag animals made out of discarded plastic bags and tied to subways grates. As the subway passes by, the plastic bag animal inflates. via Drawn!

Using the Seam Ripper

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Molly at The Purl Bee gives us tips on how best to use the essential seam ripper when sewing.

March 27, 2008

Recycled Album Fans by Lorimarsha

Lorimarsha created these fun and colorful fans using recycled album covers and repurposed yardsticks.

Polymer Clay Pebble Bowl

Judy Dunn tipped us off to this simple yet lovely walnut bowl by Cynthia Tinapple, which features strikingly realistic pebbles made from polymer clay affixed all around the rim.

Crochet Cowboy Hat

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Betty points us to this super cool looking crochet cowboy hat made by Kelly at Trans-Craft-Intental.

Flower People by Elsa Mora

Elsa Mora's blog is a constant source of creative inspiration. Whether she's whipping up her own dress for the Oscars or making intricate papercuts, there's always something wonderful to see. Here she's created some funny little people out of nothing more than flower petals and leaves she gathered up around her yard. So fresh and fun!

HOW TO - Make Lego Accessories

Found this via bits and bobbins: Learn to make these Marc by Marc Jacobs-inspired LEGO belts and headbands at Brightest Young Things.

Plastic Ballgown by Jamie Kuli McIntosh

Artist Jamie Kuli McIntosh created this amazing ballgown from salvaged plastic and 225 mustard packets (those make up the corset). Read more about the process on her blog, Twisted Textiles.

HOW TO - Easy Puff Paint

Melissa Goodsell put up a tutorial for this easy and safe puff paint for children using flour, food coloring, and a microwave.

Posted by Becky Stern | Mar 27, 2008 11:39 AM
101, Kids | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email Entry

Kids' Paper Scroll Table

Kidspaperscrolltable
Martha Stewart shows you a great way to create a kids' paper scroll table, perfect for a constant supply of doodling and coloring. Forget the kids, I would love to have this for myself for jotting down constant ideas or taking notes! [ via Apartment Therapy ohdeedoh ]

Row Counter Bracelet

Rowcounterbracelet
Denise of Sutherland Studios shows you how to make a row counter bracelet (kinda like an abacus), to make counting knitting and crochet rows easier. Thanks Michelle!

Gluten-Free Recipes and Tips

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Epicurious has a line up of some gluten-free recipes and tips on their site featuring yummy foods like this gluten-free coconut layer cake.

Inside Out Security Envelopes

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Derek and Lauren on design*sponge show you how to make inside out security envelopes by recycling envelopes you get from bills!

Fuzzy Judd

Maybe it's just the art geek in me, but I was so happy to discover Tiffany Matula's Fuzzy Judd sculpture (in a previous life, I spent part of my work day polishing Donald Judd's precisely made metal sculptures at the Dia Art Foundation). A riff on Judd's untitled stack sculptures from the 60s and onward, Fuzzy Judd is a hilarious -- but respectful -- take on the cold, industrial feel of Judd's work, which is most decidedly not fuzzy. There's a fun technology angle as well: as described on Matula's site, viewers are invited to sit in the chair to look at the work, activating a motor which unravels the knitting in the sculpture.

Twelve Plush Monsters

Craftster loveandasandwich posted twelve plush monsters that she created. These hand sewn plush monsters are pretty cute.

Related
Monster iPod Cozies by loveandasandwich

March 26, 2008

Recycled Calendar Lampshade

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I love the look of this recycled calendar lamp by Svanna as featured on Apartment Therapy SF.

Pop Culture Prints by Betty Turbo

Betty Turbo sells a really nice variety of hand-printed greeting cards and prints--I love the pop-culture inspired ones especially, like the funny LOST card above, and the print below featuring Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Anthony Stewart Head (aka "Giles"). Betty Turbo Prints and C