I continue to be inspired by the amount of talent and creativity I come across on the web, not just from people I know in my little blog community but while surfing the net. Here are some that stood out for me this month. Enjoy!
Garden and Plant Markers from Bubby & Bean
Check out these Springtime Art Projects from sponsor Saturday's Child
Pompom Garland from Gypsybee (via Twitter)
How To Make Handmade Blog Elements from Adrienne Rose (via Twitter)
|
My sqeekness level can get pretty high when I see anything cute. From the creatives at Lark Crafts comes the super fun instructional book Adventures in Pompom Land: 25 Cute Projects Made from Handmade Pompoms
This how-to book included 25 Pompom projects with cute little creatures that would be fun to create and collect. You must have 100% Wool Yarn and 100% Wool Roving Yarn as this won't work too well with other types of yarn (I tried).
Don't know how to make pompoms? You don't have to worry about purchasing pre-made ones. The book starts with easy instructions on how to make your own that could even keep the kids busy. Bocek was inspired to create these adorable creatures after watching a segment on Martha Stewart.
The instructions for each project are detailed and thorough.
They include cuties for different holidays to help bring a personal touch to your home decorating. My favorite is this little devil guy. :)
Adventures in Pompom Land is a fun book to have handy. You can follow Myko Bocek Studios on Facebook.
|
Today's post is contributed by Eva Stephen who likes to write about home styling, organization and everything pretty about home. You may get in touch Eva by following her on twitter. Enjoy!
There has been a revolution in the workplace over the last five years or so which has resulted in more and more of us working from home doing something that we love. It may be writing, illustrating, making and decorating scrumptious cakes or creating unique and beautiful gifts, cards and other products. With the Internet bringing us all closer together people are losing their fear of ordering from further afield, so as to take advantage of talents from across the globe, a win-win situation for the happy customer, and the satisfied and economically viable crafter! Even if you do not make any money from your home, you can gain some benefit from a beautifully organised and carefully laid out crafting space.
Make sure you have enough space to work
When setting out your work studio try to over-estimate the amount of space you need to create your pieces, rather than try to work in confined, cramped and claustrophobic spaces. At first it will not be too bad, but before long you will start to dread working in there, and will begin to make excuses to not craft that day, week or even month. A roomy work area is vital for comfort and also goes a long way to helping you work safely and neatly.
Continue reading "Guest Post: Craft Room Organization Made Easy" »
|
Happy Monday everyone! Time for a giveaway from yours truly. It's a chance to win a set of three crochet cuff bracelets - you pick the color. Giveaway is open to everyone.
Please understand that my yarn collection is still growing so the winner will choose three of the following (or maybe you want three of the same color, whatever you want!)
1) Berry 2) Soft Baby Blue 3) Mid Blue 4) Lilac 5) Toast 6) Salmon 7) Black 8) Oxblood 9) Dark Teal 10) Aruba Sea 11) Sand 12) Gray Pearl 13) Seafoam 14) Winter Gray
I've been adding more sets to my Etsy shop. They're so fun to wear and believe it or not, good for any type of weather. Cozy in the cold but still open and airy when it's warmer.
HOW TO WIN (please leave an email with each entry):
-REQUIRED: Leave a comment on which color(s) you'd like to wear.
-Bonus: Send out the following tweet and share the link here in the comments: I just entered to win a set of three colorful crochet cuff bracelets from @pulpsushi - check it out! http://ow.ly/jO46A
-Bonus: Follow this blog on Twitter @pulpsushi or on Bloglovin
-Bonus: Pin this post on Pinterest and leave the link of your pin in the comments.
Giveaway ends on Monday April 15th. The winner will be chosen at random through random.org and will be announced here and notified.
|
While attending the Bead Expo recently, I noticed a lot of vendors selling unfinished or uncut stone and crystal pieces. Some already as pendants, others just big chunks to cut yourself.
Looks like candy. It's very sparkly. Of course I've been seeing this trend on Etsy already but it really hit me when when I saw so many suppliers in on it too. Will I get in on that? I don't think it's anything I wish to work with personally, but I still find them oh so pretty.
I'm not saying she was the first to do it, but Moorea Seal was the first person I happen to notice doing this type of jewelry. Here's a couple more.
Definitely super nice to look at but I would be too scared to wear something like this because I'm pretty clumbsy and will probably scratch myself up. Kudos to you if you can rock this.
|
Scallop Borders from Everyday Is A Holiday
Handmade Daisy Pin Cushion from Kitty & Buck (via Twitter)
Handmade Pillar Votice Candles from Lovey Dovey
Crochet Scissor Grip Cover from One Sheepish Girl
I'm especially interested in working on those candles myself. Chalk paint has become quite popular and I think I might want to play around with it. I see myself picking up some jars and glass candle holders very soon. :)
|
This is a total name dropping blog post. :) In the second half of my NYIGF visit recap I wanted to share some of the booths I visited from people who I knew from the internet, like Sara from Girls Can Tell. You can find her coasters throughout my home. Isn't she cute? She threw me off as I was looking for the person in her Twitter picture (with longer hair!)
Girls Can Tell is a line of housewares and gifts featuring original diagram illustrations by Sara who prints most of her own work out of her shop in Philadelphia. She's relocating (still in Philly) and open a new store Occassionette<---help her get there!
Does this pillow look familiar? It probably does if you looked at Etsy's front page at all. Alexandra Ferguson has been Etsy FP many times with her witty and satirical felt applique pillows. I met Alexandra when we were both on the Etsy NY team in 2009 and she was the first person I knew of to make pillows with messages like "Go To The Gym" and "Call Your Mother" on them. Now I see them all over but I still believe she was the first.
Strawberryluna was the first booth I visited where I met Allison, one half of the husband and wife design duo. She wished me luck on my first NYIGF as it can be intimidating. Their artwork is fun, bright, vibrant and affordable in a clean modern style. I am a new fan!
And last but not the least is Fisk & Fern - silly and strange paper and household goods.
Laura Fisk is the illustrator and operator behind this fun business. Her illustrations are so quirky and fun, it's hard not to smile when looking at them. Notice how stylish all these women are? I love it!
I really hope this show was a huge success for all of them because their work really is amazing and totally made with love. If you want to see more pictures from the day, you can see them all here on Flickr.
|
I eventually knew I had to graduate from knitting in one color or solid stripes. Incorporting designs in a knitting project may seem intimidating and daunting, thankfully there is help! Coming out next month from St. Martin's Press is The Very Easy Guide to Fair Isle Knitting by Lynne Watterson.
She includes an overview of the basics and covers the best type of yarn to use for Fair Isle patterns.There are a variety of pretty, pretty patterns and follow-up projects to try them out on.
With clear instructions in both written and chart form, Watterson shows readers how to make a variety of projects - including finishing touches like beads, buttons, tassles, fringe and more.
Here are a couple of test patterns I tried out.
Not too bad. Some patterns are a little more involved than others but with some patiences and determination, it can be mastered!
|
Hope everyone had a nice weekend. It's nice to have an extra day to stay at home. Today I'd like to share the new crochet items added to the Etsy shop. Recently I started posting sets of cuff bracelets, this week it's Infinity Chain Scarves. It's nice to have something different to create and share. Since they're so soft and easy to wear, they're great for any time of the year. I have some more fun colors to work on.
Don't worry, new jewelry will be coming soon! It's just nice to now have an option for people who may not be into wearing traditional jewelry. :)
In other news, I've fallen behind on my book reviews. I keep getting craft books in the mail and they're starting to pile up. However there's one book I got on Saturday that is jumping ahead of the list. I hope to share it this week. Here's a sneak peek.
|
Last winter didn't seem too bad but this year is C-H-I-L-L-Y! All I'm thinking about is curling up in cozy knitted goodness. I'm so happy I finally learned how to knit but I'm still pretty basic in my skills. I knitted scarves for both of my parents this past Christmas and they were so happy. Maybe in 2013 I can learn to make hats?? Here are some fun knits for this Friday!
First I wanted to share this cowl I made a while back. I don't think I ever shared this on my blog. Not sure why, I like how it came out and it's sooooo soft! I remember splurging on the yarn. I took this pic while at work (which is always cold) so it works fine there.
Source: christienmeindertsma.com via Clare on Pinterest
Source: lovenordic.blogspot.com via jOcr❦e on Pinterest
Source: purlsoho.com via Teresa on Pinterest
Source: handmadeidea.com.ua via Lauren on Pinterest
Source: cakenotes.com via Candace on Pinterest
Ok I know this is a cake but how incredible is this??
Have a great weekend!
|
| |
 |
