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February 19, 2012

How-To: Miniature Felt Umbrella

The meticulous work that goes into this wee felt umbrella project from Cynthia Treen is beautiful and impressive. She's shared the pattern and step-by-step tutorial over on The Crafts Department. The umbrella is an accessory to an adorable felt frog prince pattern she also created. He looks so dapper with it sitting on his shoulders!

February 16, 2012

"The Three Inventors" Papercut Animation (1980)

"Les Trois Inventeurs" ("The Three Inventors") is a beautiful 1980 papercut animation film about a family of inventors that build amazing machines but are misunderstood by others. It's the story of an encounter between the soaring joy of creativity and the destructive nature of fear.

In one scene, the father glides elegantly through the air in a hot air balloon, sitting in a bird-shaped basket and using a wing-like oar to navigate. When he lands, the local people, frightened by the strange contraption, hide in fear for a minute, and then they attack the balloon, harpooning it with pitchforks.

The film was directed and animated by Michel Ocelot, a French-born writer, designer, and director of animated films and television programs. Ocelot has also spent time living in Guinea and Los Angeles. In 1983, he had a French children's television series called "La Princesse Insensible." More recently, he directed a music video for the song "Earth Intruders," off of Bjork's 2007 album, Volta.

The film is in French, but any viewer will be able to understand the story arc. I asked my sister, who has a better grasp of the French language than I, to translate the ending. Here's what the narrator says: "No, it's not true. It didn't truly happen. It couldn't have happened. I assure you. You see? It's film!"

[via The Heart of Papercuts]

Jumbo Sized Flower Loom Flowers

Several months ago, I found packs of awesome red/white and green/white clothes line rope at the dollar store. I grabbed them, thinking I'd used them in some kind of Christmas craft project. I fiddled with a few gift topper options and didn't have much luck, so I stuck them in my craft-supplies-to-experiment-with-later drawer. Thanks to Hannah at Knick Knacks & Ric Rac, I think I've found what I can do with them! She used a knifty knitter to replicate a raffia flower loom and created giant flowers with the same kind of dollar store brightly colored polyethelene rope. See how they came together over on her blog.

February 10, 2012

Last-Minute Valentine Gift Ideas

Need some help picking a gift for your Valentine this year? Check out the Handmade Companion's Valentine edition.

February 1, 2012

Valentine's Day Drinking Straws

The Paper Source blog, P.S., has a few quick ideas on how to dress up paper straws for a Valentine's Day party. Check out their post for a PDF on all the goodies you'll need to make these.

January 27, 2012

How-To: Cork Stamps

My kids and I love to go letterboxing, and one of the best parts is coming up with our own stamps to use. If you're wanting to make a simple stamp, but don't want to mess with carving, Michele of Michele Made Me shows how you can use craft foam and old wine corks to create custom stamps.

January 26, 2012

Valentine's Day Inspiration

Looking for some heart-themed inspiration? No Biggie has updated their Valentine Page with all sorts of project ideas.

January 23, 2012

What Crafters REALLY Want for Valentine's Day

crafttestdummies_what_crafters_want_for_valentines_day.jpg

Significant others, fear not! Even if you're not quite as craft-sensitive as Handmade Ryan Gosling, Jenny from Craft Test Dummies has made it nice and easy for you. Check out her DIY craft valentines to find out what the crafter/beader/sewer in your life REALLY wants for Valentine's Day.

What would you put in yours?

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How-To: Cross-Stitched Hand Warmers

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter and I went camping together. The weekend was unusually cold for Texas (sadly, it already feels like spring here) and we had to do some serious bundling up to stay warm. We'd brought along packs of handwarmers, and while they were handy - pun intended - I felt like they were wasteful. By the end of the weekend, we had a bag full of them to be thrown away. I like the idea of reusable handwarmers instead, and even more so when they involve cross-stitch. This tutorial from Wild Olive is a perfect fit!

January 20, 2012

Satsuma Orange Peel Candle

Honestly WTF has up a tutorial for making a candle from a Satsuma orange peel and some olive oil. The wick is the piece of white pith that connects the stem. It seems like it would smell so good!

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January 17, 2012

How-To: Wool Insoles to Keep Your Feet Toasty Warm

This past weekend, my daughter and I went camping. We had unusually cold weather for Texas, and even with layered socks and fleece-lined boots, I had trouble ever getting my feet to really warm up. These diy wool insoles from Maya of Maya*Made would have been perfect for solving the cold-toes syndrome. See how she makes custom insoles that add an extra layer of cozy to her footwear!

January 14, 2012

Your 2012 Craft Tool Wish List

I've been tidying up my craft space and making a list of supplies I'd love to have in 2012. I picked up some of these Clover Wonder Clips and I can't wait to have more on hand, so these are definitely going on my list. Which tools are you craving this year for your craft room?

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