Craft Gossip

DIY Birch Bark Centerpiece Cake

Kimberly Jones — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:23:54 +0000

This lovely cake looks good enough to eat, but it’s actually made from strips of birch bark and styrofoam! What a pretty idea for a bridal shower or wedding! Get all the instructions at Crafts ‘n Coffee.…

Beads by Mail

Stacie Hooder — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:58:15 +0000

Beads by Mail is re-opening! Jane says that special orders are no problem and looks forward to helping you soon.

“I am really serious about this, even though I am having lots of fun. Sharing my bead obsession with everyone is so rewarding.”

Check out Jane’s inventory of unusual handmade beads like the African beads shown above.…

DIY Tissue Paper Pom Poms

Kimberly Jones — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:12:20 +0000

Tissue paper pom poms are easy to make, versatile to use, and budget-friendly too! At Adore by Chloe, you’ll find links, ideas, and a step-by-step tutorial to help you create these pretty posies!…

Find: Mid-century Nagel Candle Holder

heidigustad — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:23:35 +0000

NeatoVintage has a set of three vintage nagel candle holders that are completely fabulous. They are stackable or can work independently of each other. See it on Etsy.…

Tutorial: Make a shirred waistband to turn a too-big shirt into a blouson shirt

anneweaver — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:45:18 +0000

Ashley from Make It and Love It shares a tutorial on her blog showing how a bit of shirring at the bottom hem may be just the fix for a shirt that’s too big. The shirring cinches it in and gives it a flattering blouson effect around the hips. Get the how-to.

[photo from Make It and Love It]…

Tutorial: Doily collar for a top or dress

anneweaver — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:35 +0000

Jill from Homemade by Jill guest blogs at Project Run and Play showing how you can use a purchased doily to make a collar for a top or dress. It’s a quick way to add a beautiful detail to a garment. If you can’t find a doily in the color you like, I bet you could use some fabric dye to make …

Tutorial: Quick and easy baby dress from an adult knit shirt

anneweaver — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:17:55 +0000

Dana from MADE shares a tutorial on her blog showing how easy it is to turn an adult t-shirt into a cute little baby dress. I am loving the mix of the green polka dot and yellow stripes in her example! Go to the tutorial.

And if the idea of sewing on stretch knits makes you nervous, be sure to check …

Tutorial: Tools to help you sew a straight line

anneweaver — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:06:59 +0000

Sewing a straight seam is easy enough, but it can take practice to get super straight stitching lines that you’re not ashamed to have show up in a contrasting thread. Tricia from Made By Me & Shared With You shares a tutorial all about stitching in a straight line, and includes how-tos for using some common machine accessories and household …

Felt Forever Fleurs Tutorial

Linda Lanese — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:46:07 +0000

Sue Eggen is the heart & hands of “Giant Dwarf”. Her artistic adventure began in 2003 in Portland, Oregon and then moved to Pennsylvania in 2005 with a passion for reconstructing recycled fabrics & an intuitive desire to create with color. Sue was a guest poster back in 2-2012 on the Martha Stewart’s craft blog, Today Sue is sharing …

DIY: Herbal Bath Salts

valeriesilverthorne — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:54:14 +0000

Ok, she had me with the vanilla bean…just sayin’. Stephanie from Henry Happened has a fast and easy tutorial for herbal bath salts. These would be wonderful — and appreciated — end of the year teacher gifts! But be sure to make some for yourself too, especially using vanilla bean, wow. Get the tutorial.…

Animal Cracker Zoo

meaghan mountford — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:16:47 +0000

Such a cute idea for zoo-loving little ones: Craft your own zoo for animal crackers. I’m now thinking bigger… like a whole scale model of a zoo made of shoe boxes and astro-turf, so I need to stop here. Find the craft HERE at My Little Gems. Spotted on Fun Family Crafts.…

Easy Herbal Centerpieces

Kimberly Jones — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:01:03 +0000

Herbs in simple, inexpensive containers make lovely and budget-friendly centerpieces/table numbers or favors for your wedding! Get the DIY instructions for them at One Lovely Day.…

Kiwi Crate {Review}

kristenstephens — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:48:46 +0000

I first heard of Kiwi Crate about a year ago when some wonderful kid craft bloggers couldn’t stop talking about it on their blogs. I have to admit, I was intrigued. When looking deeper into what Kiwi Crate is about, I found that the goal of Kiwi Crate is to encourage ‘curiosity and creativity in children.’ So I …

Fresh Fabulous Saturday Glass from Bullseye

cathimilligan — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:48:42 +0000

There are some new colors of special production “Saturday Glass” available over at Bullseye’s web site. These are internet order only so get them while they last. There’s one that’s got my eye…it’s the turquoise and french vanilla reactive streaky. So good. And it’ll probably react more once fired. Each sheet is completely one of a kind. Love that. …

Gumdrop Roses

meaghan mountford — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:09:48 +0000

Need some quick, last minute cake or cupcake decorations? Make gumdrop roses. Find the how-tos HERE at Real Simple.…

Pina Colada Cupcakes with Dried Fruit Flowers

meaghan mountford — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:04:36 +0000

First, the super yummy-sounding cupcakes… Pina Colada with Kiwi frosting? A resounding “Yes, please.” Find the recipe HERE at A Spicy Perspective. But wait, there’s more. Those gorgeous dried pineapple and kiwi flower cupcake toppers? Crafted and for sale HERE at April’s Edible Art.…

How to make decorative recycled map tape

stefaniegirard — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:53:54 +0000

Over at the blog Ruby Murrays Musings there is a fun tutorial on how to make recycled map tape perfect for dressing up gifts.…

Tutorial: Vintage-inspired lace headband with twisted fabric flowers

anneweaver — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:28:33 +0000

Debbie from Squiggly Twigs Designs shows how to make a beautiful vintage-inspired lace headband with rolled fabric flowers. The flowers are made from strips of scrap fabric that she twists and rolls into a rosette. No sewing is required, but you could replace some of the gluing with handstitching if you wanted. Get the tutorial.

[photo from Squiggly Twigs Designs]…

DIY Fabric Wrapped Hangers

Amanda Formaro — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:01:02 +0000

Fabric wrapped clothes hangers are not only practical, they’re pretty too. Spruce up your closet by taking those ugly wire hangers and giving them a makeover. Here’s a fun tutorial showing you step by step just how to do that. Head over to Ching Makes Things! for the scoop DIY fabric-wrapped hanger.…

Tutorial | How to Make a Text Path in Photoshop

Francine Clouden — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:58 +0000

Deena Boese shows you how to make a text path in Photoshop to wrap text around any shape. She also includes a template for users of Photoshop Elements version 9 or earlier. Click here to go to the tutorial over at Renee Pearson.com…

Love in Stitches

conniebarwick — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:59:32 +0000

All you need is love according to the lyrics of a famous song and that is what you will get with this lovely free design from Balades et Broderies. There’s “Love” and some lovely stitches to go along with it. Get the free chart.…

Add a Stitched Piece to a Book

conniebarwick — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:55:06 +0000

This great tutorial from Little House Needleworks shows how to add a piece of stitched needlework to a paper mache book. It’s a great way to display your cross-stitched pieces when you are beginning to run out of wall space for framed art or you just don’t want to make another pillow. Check it out.…

Read all about it: Tips for sewing with vintage patterns

anneweaver — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:51:58 +0000

Elizabeth & Liz from Simple Simon & Co. create the most gorgeous kids’ clothes using vintage patterns. So it’s totally appropriate that their guest blog in the Vintage May Series at Craftiness Is Not Optional is a post all about sewing with vintage patterns. Go to their post to read their tips.

[photo from Simple Simon & Co. on Craftiness Is Not Optional]…

Tutorial: Oilcloth zippered pouch

anneweaver — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:45:53 +0000

Sachiko from Tea Rose Home guest blogs at Diary of a Quilter with a tutorial showing how to make a zippered pouch from oilcloth. The coated fabric is durable and waterproof, but it does require some special handling when sewing on it. Go to her tutorial to find out how to make the pouch.

[photo from Tea Rose Home on …

Tutorial: Winter jeans become summer cut-offs and a half apron

anneweaver — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:37:31 +0000

With summer just around the corner, many of us mamas are looking at our kids’ winter jeans with an eye to cut them into shorts. Kymy from Everything Your Mama Made & More shows how she marks and cuts the legs so they’re straight. Then, she shares a separate tutorial showing how you can use some of the denim you cut …

Project: Stamped Hand Towels

Heather — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:07:21 +0000

These “hand” towel are so cute…towel.. made with a hand print… hand towel…get it?

Find instructions for making these colorful towels over on the Brass Paperclip Project blog.

-Heather…

Show & Tell | 10 Tags

Francine Clouden — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:32 +0000

Connie Mercer from Crafty Goodies shows us 10 different tags she has made. The tags showcase a variety of techniques, including stamping and fussy cutting. Click here to see more.…

Show & Tell | Vacation Minibook (& a Giveaway!)

Francine Clouden — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:14 +0000

Nattarida Smith from Awesomeness of Crafting shares a vacation minibook she made recently. She is also giving away some of the products that she used. Click here to go to her blog post.…

Product Review | EK Success Flower Punch

Francine Clouden — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:21 +0000

Sarah White from Our Daily Craft shares her review of the EK Success large flower punch and shows us a couple projects she made using it. Click here to go to the review.…

Inspiration du Jour | Insta-fun

Francine Clouden — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:45 +0000

Insta -fun by dianaj1012

{GALLERY} {BLOG}…

Sewers: Chat about your favorite sewing projects and get $50 and a thread selection tin! [UPDATED]

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:38:15 +0000

This generated tremendous response and all places are now full!

Do you love to sew? Would you like to earn some money and receive a lovely sewing gift in return for chatting about your favourite sewing projects? Future Publishing, publishers of Mollie Makes magazine want to interview crafters about what most inspires them. You will receive $50 and a thread …

A Shawl Pin Tutorial

Elaine — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:48:34 +0000

Another tutorial from Eskimimi, a great one on how to make a scarf pin.…

Rope Candle Holder

heidigustad — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:23:52 +0000

One of my favorite crafty Tumblr blogs, 52 Weeks Project, shares how to make your own rustic rope candle holder. The author warns:

“I will be the first to admit that this project is not for the faint of heart. Maybe it was my choice of glue, or the texture of the rope, but making this candle holder was
…

Lantern Moon Needle Case Giveaway!

Terrye — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:36:02 +0000

Congratulations, Imelda, you’ve won this giveaway. I’ve sent you an email. Get back to me asap with the info I’ve requested and I’ll get your Needle Case Sent right off to you.

Thanks, everyone, for playing!

Well, I guess I have to draw another name since Imelda’s email address isn’t valid. Let’s go with June, I’ve sent you an email. …

A New KAL from The Knitters Brewing Company.

Terrye — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:27:02 +0000

The Knitter’s Brewing Company has been doing KALs for a long time, I’ve participated in a few of them myself, for socks. This one is for this really pretty shawl. The Cardioid Shawl

Here’s the description: Cascading hearts set the loving theme of our 2012 Fundraising Design for the Susan G Komen Foundation. Lacy and feminine, this three-quarter circular shawl …

Review – Vtech Bluetooth Cordless Phone

Terrye — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:17:16 +0000

So I have to tell you about this new phone I got. I know, I know, it’s nothing to do with knitting, but it’s pretty cool and I thought you might want to hear about it.

I know I live in the sticks and I know that when it comes to new technology, those of us up here in no-where’s-ville …

Tutorial – Garter Tab Cast On

Terrye — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:50:05 +0000

By Jaala Spiro of Knit Circus, the garter tab cast-on tutorial shows you how to start a garter stitch tab that blends right in with the rest of the border. Use this technique for crescent-shaped shawls beginning at the top center of the neck.

Check out the photo tutorial, HERE, then head on over to KnitCircus.com to check out …

Find: Beautiful Tree of Life Candle Holder

heidigustad — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:12:50 +0000

Scott Nelles Studios hand makes this beautiful bronze candle holder, inspired by the African Acacia tree. It can accommodate standard menorah candles, but this holder’s relatively season-neutral design would work well year round in any home. Check it out on Etsy.…

Tutorial: Covered cording flower charm

anneweaver — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:52:44 +0000

Ros Made Me shares a tutorial on her blog showing how to used covered cording to make a pretty flower charm you can hang from a purse or keychain. She used covered cording that was left over from a previous project, but these flowers are so cute that they’d be worth making the covered cording just to make them. Get …

Tutorial: Make a bag from an old umbrella

anneweaver — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:29:54 +0000

Jill from Creating My Way To Success shares a tutorial on her blog showing how she turned a couple of old umbrellas into some cute new bags for her kids to tote their swimming gear. The waterproof umbrella fabric is perfect for this! The bags are roomy, with a zipper across the top to keep everything inside. Get the tute.

[photo …

Tutorial: Easy potholder that kids can sew

anneweaver — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:02:13 +0000

When you’re teaching a child to sew, easy projects that are quickly completed are the key to helping build excitement and confidence. Justine from Sew Country Chick shares a tutorial for a project that fits the bill – a simple quilted potholder that uses only straight seams. It’s the first in a new series focused on sewing with children. Go …

Inspiration: Sea Breeze M&P Soap

valeriesilverthorne — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:51:57 +0000

I love it when I can find a truly lovely melt & pour soap, and here’s one from Coolah Creations. Who knew a goat’s milk m&p base could be so pretty? Get all the details here.…

Perfect Palette Giveaway!

Kimberly Jones — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:05:54 +0000

Just spotted this fun giveaway over at The Perfect Palette! Visit their website and leave a comment there for your chance to win an adorable custom stamp, 25 thank you cards, and 2 luggage tags from Invitation Consultants. The giveaway ends Friday, May 18th, so hurry on over and check out several ways to enter!…

How to make chalkboard covered recycled jar lids

stefaniegirard — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:38:03 +0000

Kathryn of the blog The Pickled Herring has come up with a darling and practical idea for the great chalkboard paint. She uses it on jar lids to label and date its contents.…

Transform stadium quilt into hands-free bundle

Scarlett — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:09:29 +0000

Barbara of Cat Patches transformed a bulky stadium quilt into an easy to carry bundle with no hands required – always a plus on game day. She shows you how to do this on her blog. Get the know-how.

Image credit: Cat Patches…

Triangle felt bird bean bag Tutorial

Linda Lanese — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:20 +0000

Holly always comes up with the cutest and most creative ideas and this Triangle felt bird bean bag is certainly one of them. Holly writes: “He’s a very happy chappy! Make 3 of these and you can learn how to juggle with them.” I think that these will be a lot of yard fun in the summer. Make a different …

Tutorial: Farmer’s Wife cloth baby book

Scarlett — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:53:03 +0000

Danny of Mommy for Reals made this cloth baby book as part of the Farmer’s Wife in Your Life series at Love Affair With My Brother. Calling her creation The Farmer’s Wife’s Field Guide to Animal By-Products, her photos of the book had me smiling. It’s one of the best cloth baby books I’ve seen – humorous and …

Meringue Tulip Cake

meaghan mountford — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:36:55 +0000

What a pretty and tasty homage to a Dutch mom… lovely meringue tulips to decorate a cake. Find the how-tos to make meringue tulips HERE at Bird on a Cake.…

Beach-y needlework curtains

Scarlett — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:34:56 +0000

Hi all. My family and I are spending a glorious week in a rented house right on the Gulf of Mexico. I have limited internet access, but wanted to show y’all our beach-y kitchen curtains. Someone did silk embroidery motifs of a beach scene across them. Adorableness!

Here’s a close-up. This is one of the best parts of traveling, spying …

Handmade Cross Stitch Chart

conniebarwick — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:49:03 +0000

Show off your handmaking skills by stitching up a pattern that celebrates all things “Handmade” with the phrase in French. I just love the cute little scissor motif. Where would any of us needleworkers be without a handy set of those? Or two or three or more in my case? Get the free chart.…