Born-Again Vintage Book Review and Giveaway! US Only

Whether it is called up-cycled, re-cycled, altered designs, deconstructed or reconstructed, many of us are trying this eco friendly crafting and saving money in this repressed economy. I know when I go through my wardrobe I am more aware to how I can transform a piece that has been in my closet for awhile into something eco-chic. Now, Bridgett Artise and Jen Karetnick are leading the way in show us how to recycle our cast-offs into exciting new designs with their book “Born- Again Vintage” (Random House Book) 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent and Recycle Your Wardrobe”. Bridgett’s company is B Artise Originals believes that fashion trends come and go like the speed of light, but your pieces are timeless, trendless and more importantly “HOT” proving that with a few cuts and stitches, your entire wardrobe can be transformed! One of the most interesting things I learned about Bridgett is that she does custom orders, if you send in your old prom dress, maid of honor gown or any dress that’s been in the back of your closet for way too long and she’ll wave her magic wand and recreate your garment into something new and chic! Visit Bridgett’s site and see all she offers.

Born Again Vintage, tells you where to go to find those awesome vintage clothes and it is not the trendy Vintage Boutiques. Where you ask? Buy or win this book and you will be an insider in vintage shopping. Create boot pants from sweater sleeves. Make a vest from and old blazer and out-of-date shirt. Put together a chic sweater mini dress from a sweater and skirt or charming sweater corset from a cast off sweater. The tee shirt blouse is created from a tee and an vintage blouse. A darling denim bags from those dated jeans. Use a elegant vintage skirt and create stunning dress shorts. I could go on and on but you will want to open this amazing hard covered book with its stunning pictures and instructions and let your mind go wild.

Co-author Jen Karetnick is an amazing lady you will want to get to know along with Bridgett. Bridgett claims she was Jen’s pain while they worked on this book together. Jen is based in the fascinating and multicultural country known as Miami; Jen is one of the most oddly prolific writers around. An editor, author and poet as well as pen-for-hire, she tackles a variety of lifestyle subjects: food, travel, wine, liquor, literature, health, medicine, sexuality, arts, culture, home, garden, shopping, parenting, children and even cats and dogs and of course “Born Again Vintage” To learn more about Jen visit her site.

This is a book review and a GIVEAWAY to one lucky eco-minded, fashion savvy person. Instead of using Random.org I will put your comment number in a container and the last one picked will be the winner. Giveaway will run from June 2, 2009 through June 16, 2009.

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns!

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil.

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn.

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point.

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up.

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.

Have you read?