Craftzine.com blog: July 2008 Archives

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Archives: July 2008

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July 31, 2008

Fashioning Technology on Current TV

Current TV recently featured our CRAFT book, Fashioning Technology, by Suyzi Pakhchyan. Visit the Fashioning Technology web site for more info on the book and participate in the smart crafting community!

Syuzi was also a guest on New Hampshire Public Radio's "Word of Mouth" program. You can hear the webcast of it here.

Fashioningtechnologycover

Buy Fashioning Technology by Syuzi Pakhchyan in the Maker Shed today!
This book demonstrates how to blend sewing and assembly techniques with traditional electronics to assemble simple circuits using conductive thread, solder joints for snaps, and switches for buttons. With the sewing machine as a viable substitute for the soldering iron, you can craft a new generation of objects that are interactive, quirky, and fashion-conscious.

Look for Fashioning Technology Kits soon this Summer in the Maker Shed! For now, check out the rest of our CRAFT Kits.

Ann Wood's Camp Wapameo Photos

Ann Wood sent a flock of her beautiful hand-stitched birds to summer camp, and has shared some wonderful photos from their trip. Raise your hand if you'd love to see these gorgeous photos end up in a fancy-schmancy coffee table book someday! (Publishers, take note.)

Reusable Produce Bags

I'm really digging these reusable fabric produce bags by SoManyIdeas, which are handpainted with botanical motifs, sugar skulls, and more. I've been looking for a way to avoid using plastic produce bags from the grocery store, and these may be just the ticket.

Marimekko Cupcakes

I love these Marimekko-inspired cupcakes spotted on Cupcakes Take the Cake. They were created by Flickr user Paulahennig and were based on Marimekko's "Unikko" line of fabrics (pictured below).

HOW TO - Easy Braided Dog Toy

If you've got extra scraps of fleece or other non-fraying fabric, Christina made a tutorial for whipping up braided dog toys using strips of scrap fabric. Great for tug-of-war! (Thanks, Ryan!)

Emilie Friday

Spotted in the CRAFT Flickr pool: Emilie Friday creates really fun and unique needlefelted artwork--from wall hangings to little girl sculptures--using merino wool, twigs, vintage Japanese millinery flowers, ribbons and more.

Confetti Cushion

Craftster user Annabel used scraps of fabric from old sewing projects to decorate the front of a pillow, giving it the look of scattered confetti. I love the playful and sketchy way she sewed the patches on using visible stitches.

Bazaar Bizarre Maker Faire Austin - Vendor Applications Extended to August 5

Bbicons
Hi Crafters! Bazzar Bizarre Maker Faire Austin vendor applications has been extended to August 5th. Maker Faire Austin will be held from October 18-19, 2008 at the Travis County Expo Center.

HOW TO - Design Mini Icons in Photoshop

Web Designer Wall zooms in and shows us how to design mini icons in Photoshop, including a handy photoshop file and mini icon set you can download. I used to do designs for mobile phones and zooming in is key! [ via swissmiss ]

Kids Crafts - Wilding Sticks and Nature Bracelets

Wildingsticks Naturebracelet
Full Circle has the perfect craft ideas for kids to enjoy nature and the great outdoors. Gather up some simple household supplies the next time you head out to make some cool looking wilding sticks and nature bracelets. [ via Kids Craft Weekly ]

Coin Button

Collin @ MAKE points us to this clever use of a small-denomination coin as a replacement button. Just drill two holes and sew!

Knit Helmet Pattern

Pt Helmetmielem
A Good Yarn has a free vintage knitting pattern to make this knit helmet that works for humans and dogs too!

HOW TO - Make an Octopus Cake

My favorite cake maker, Beth from Cloth and Fodder, made an octopus birthday cake. It had to be suitable for diabetics and lactose-free so she shared the final adjusted recipe.

Grosgrain Fabulous Blog Giveaways

Kathleen of Grosgrain Fabulous makes beautiful clothing for her daughters, takes wonderful photos of them modeling and then gives the clothing away. I have no idea why she gives them away, but I love the clothes and her generosity.

July 30, 2008

HOW TO - IKEA Chandelier

Spotted on IKEA Hacker: Christie turned a bare-bones ceiling light into a glamorous modern chandelier by shortening the hanging wires and adding several strands of sparkling crystals.

How To - Blueberry Crumb Bars

Smitten Kitchen shares a delicious-looking recipe for these Blueberry Crumb Bars, which would be great to make now that blueberries are popping up at Farmers Markets everywhere.

Yarn Smackdown Competition

Helen writes:

I organize Yarn Smackdown, a knitting- and crocheting-to-the-death competition with 12 events. It is themed around lace and the Olympics. The 12 events are beginner sock, advanced sock, bookmark, dishcloth, knitted animal, scarf, knitted stole, crochet stole, amigurumi, crochet hat, granny square, and the food fight event.

Sign-ups are open until midnight on July 31st and the competition begins on August 8th. There is no fee for competing. Knitters and crocheters can sign up at the website. The knitter or crocheter with the most points wins.

That's right, the deadline for signups is Thursday. Get 'em in and start competing, folks!

New Pattern @ PimpStitch

There's a fun new embroidery pattern available at PimpStitch: "For the Love of Ewe" by Tamie Snow, which features an adorable sheep who likes to knit. Download the PDF for only $3 here.

LED Firefly Baby Booties Tutorial

Ledbooties Final
Make these cute LED Baby Booties made by CRAFT readers Ana Pires and João Silva. This talented husband and wife team entered the booties into our Michael Miler Baby Bootie Contest and the rest is history. These cute little light-up booties have also recently been featured in Etsy's Handmade Kids series. Find out how to make your own after the jump, in this special how-to.

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Free Recipe Card Download

Spotted this via Free Design: Wolfie and the Sneak has designed some fun (and free!) downloadable recipe cards, available via their blog.