Yesterday I spent the afternoon making felt and sharing projects from Feltique at Cast Away Yarn Shop. I met the most wonderful people, and had a great time explaining the finer points of needle felting. I’d love to hear in the comments section about your favorite events, past or present, for making crafts with your community.
The entire store was filled with people making presents and buying yarn for gifts. We had champagne and cookies and chocolate, yum. The place was decked out too! Don’t you just love the knit inspired tree? I encourage everyone to celebrate at their local yarn shop this season. There’s not a better place to find warm hearts and warm wool!
I just finished up a present for my soon-to-be-five-year-old niece, based on this wonderful child’s coloring wallet pattern from JCasa *handmade. It has slots for colored pencils, a pocket for a fresh pad of blank paper, and a pocket for completed drawings. I just love a sharp pencil and the promise of a blank page. Hopefully she’ll like it! I can’t wait to see what she draws…
I just finished up a present for my soon-to-be-five-year-old niece, based on this wonderful child’s coloring wallet pattern from JCasa *handmade. It has slots for colored pencils, a pocket for a fresh pad of blank paper, and a pocket for completed drawings. I just love a sharp pencil and the promise of a blank page. Hopefully she’ll like it! I can’t wait to see what she draws…
by Diane Gilleland
This colorful, modern take on the Hanukkah menorah is great for small spaces, and crafts up very quickly. Tissue paper lends a beautiful mosaic look.
The Degenerate Craft Fair in NYC is a show over three weekends in different locations around the city. This weekend they’re in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The fair features 20+ artists vending stickers, zines, books, jewelry, and even square inches of Detroit, MI. Enjoy beer provided by Brooklyn Brewery and mulled wine from 8pm to 10pm on Sunday.
Degenerate Craft Fair
Sunday, December 13th from 12pm to 10pm
Monday, December 14th from 12pm to 8pm
303 Grand St, Williamsburg (L to Bedford)
Opening reception music provided by DJ Sam Katz.
By Ashley Messick
Dating is hard. In an attempt to impress each other with their apparent creativity, new couples tend to go for the gusto when it comes to dates — rock climbing, improv class, acupuncture. It’s hard enough to seem charming in a normal setting; adding in paintball guns makes it even tougher. That’s why I turn to food in times of stress. Not eating it alone in my bed necessarily, but cooking it. I find that nothing impresses a guy used to chips and stale pizza of unknown origin than a girl who knows her way around a kitchen.
But what to make? Something too girly like a Caprese salad or a nice quiche might lead to an awkward stomach grumble later in the evening. And since I have to eat it too, I don’t necessarily want to chow down on a giant T-bone steak while trying to remain dainty and charming. So I go for something in the middle — beef barbecue. It’s easy and impressive, and most of all tasty. It takes a while to make, but the payoff is well worth it. It also makes your house smell great, in a manly sort of way.
Craft kits are a perfect gift for crafting newbies or crafting veterans. Having all the supplies you need to complete a project in one handy gift is priceless, and when you give the gift of a kit you give the gift of creative expression along with the project they will complete. Here are a few of our favorite craft kits for holiday gift giving.
I love Lee’s designs of ice cream cones with big, yummy scoops on top. They make brilliant headbands and earmuffs. Choose your scoops and you’re all set!
Craftster user littlepierre created this stunning trompe l’oeil topstitched dress as part of her senior design class at Florida State. I love the details and how they turn a simple dress into something quite extraordinary. Fantastic! (also worth mentioning are the amazing plastic canvas pill box hats she’s wearing in the pictures) [via Mr. X Stitch]
Craftster user littlepierre created this stunning trompe l’oeil topstitched dress as part of her senior design class at Florida State. I love the details and how they turn a simple dress into something quite extraordinary. Fantastic! (also worth mentioning are the amazing plastic canvas pill box hats she’s wearing in the pictures) [via Mr. X Stitch]
