Tutorials:
Spinster spin has a button bracelet tutorial.
instructions for a crochet button bracelet
sewing.org has a button necklace project
about.com antique button bracelet instructions
creative kismet button bracelet tutorial
The summer Knitty is up and it includes a whopping 23 patterns! The focus this issue is on accessories and there are no shortage of socks, hats and gloves, but it doesn’t stop with the traditional. The beads pictured here are a great starting point for creating your own handknit jewelry. And there are even instructions for a set of knitted wings for those of you so inclined.
There are also thirteen articles in this issue covering knitting news, information and techniques. I was especially interested in the tutorial on knitting backwards called Put it in Reverse. And the Yarn Harlot has a wonderful article called Sheep & Wool Festivals: A Survival Guide. There are lots more too, so go take a look!
Another successful and creative round of Backtack has just come to a close. In this round, some strict rules were imposed: A softie preferrably using a pattern supplied by Backtack of which we had kind permission from Hillary at Wee Wonderfuls to use two of her patterns, it must be made from black and/or white fabric with an additional 20% that could be in one other colourway, it must have 5 buttons on it, and have the initial of the person they were sending to on it. The backtack organsiers liked the idea that out of a strict set of rules, comes some immense creativity.
And we were right - the softies that have been flown across the world over the last few months are diverse, creative, challenging for some, unique and definately all very covetable. You can see the full gallery at flickr, and see how much variance you can get on the one common theme. This has been a great BT to run, and have people participate in, and the feedback we’ve had from players suggests they got just as much out of it as well.
We’ve been so enthused by everyones response to this one, that we decided through the course of BT3 running, to hold a little competition. We picked out 5 finalists, and the public voted for who they thought was the best. Our winner was Pijije (photo above) with a printed doll which is just too cute!
Watch out for further Backtack fun later on in the year.
I recently rearranged my craft room/junk room and managed to get rid of some junk and organise my fabric and bits and pieces. I even threw out a whole heap of fabrics that I just know I would never use. But still even though the room is tidy it lacks any personality, any style, any creative input. What I need is something like this. Full of light, lots of space, organised with cute touches and a bright cheery atmosphere.
more to be found at the flickr craft room group - some of my faves include this this and this. Go and get inspired. [via make]
Want a craft room but don’t know where to start - here are some tips
Please share your craft room secrets.
Do you ever feel like there’s just something not right in your kitchen? Like something is missing? Perhaps it’s because your dish soap is naked! But you can correct that problem right away, thanks to this fabulous pattern for dish soap aprons at supereggplant. So cute, and they really are functional, to keep your dish soap bottle from getting all drippy and sticky.
Fresh playdough is not only non-toxic and biodegradeable but is super easy to make. All you need is flour, salt, oil, cream of tartar, water and food colouring. (see below for recipe and links to other playdough resources.)
Ingredients
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 tablespoons of cream of tartar* (see more info at bottom of post)
1 table spoon vegetable oil
2 cups water
food colouring if required
Directions
• Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar.
• Add oil and water, stirring.
• Cook slowly until mixture thickens, stirring continuously, then kneed into a ball and use.
• Store in an airtight container. This playdough will keep for about 3 months.
This recipe is made from edible ingredients and not toxic in small amounts for children, However It is not intended as a food item. Please be sure to put it away after your children have finished playing.
See my tutorial here about making playdough.
Variations:
*try cooking it in the microwave for 3-4 mins stirring every 30 seconds.
*try adding cool aid to give it a nice smell and vivid colour (be aware that kids might be more likely to eat it).
*another way of adding more vivid colour than basic food colouring is using frosting paste.
*try adding texture such as coffee grounds for a different tactile experience.
resources:
stretcher for innovative ideas on how to make your dollar go further.
creative kids at home has some alternative playdough recipes that I have not tried.
allrecipes has a peanut butter playdough recipe that I have often meant to try - let me know if anyone has done this.
home school zone has many alternative playdough recipes - not to mention the zillion other kids resources they have.
there is a no cook playdough recipe - see can teach.
great article at Ruby Glen about her playdough kit - containing all the playdough neccessities.
cooks.com has a heap of different playdough recipes if you want to try something new.
*cream of tartar -
The common name for potassium bitartare, a by-product of wine-making. Its is a major ingredient in baking powder and is used to stabilize beaten egg whites, and is added to candies and frostings to make them creamier. It is also the assistant most often used with alum, iron, or tin mordants on silk and wool. Cream of Tartar helps to soften fibers when harsh mordants are used. It can also help brighten yellows and reds. Read more here. It can be purchased from the cake supply isle of your supermarket.
Whiptips is an advice column for readers to ask questions or offer advice by leaving your comments. View the Whiptips archive here. You can submit questions, to whiptips@gmail.com. Please include photos with your questions!
Thank you, Whipup readers for a great response to the necktie Whiptip. There are some excellent resources and ideas there, and also some recommendations for people who’d offer their services. Thanks for all your help!
Whipup reader Nina writes: “I’m looking for a metal enclosure that you squeeze the corners to open that is often used on small coin purses and soft eyeglass cases. They often are about 3.5 to 4 inches wide. I have no idea where to look or who else to contact for this info.” You know the kind, a press-to-open, and release-to-close small bag closure… instantly, you know it, but don’t know where to get it.
I was going to write that you could recycle them from old tired purses found at jumble sales. But, I looked around and found a reference to handbag accessories on Craftster (which was down as of this writing), but I could see the mention of Ghee’s in Shreveport, LA, USA- they sell handbag making equipment. This is considered a type of ‘handbag frame’ in their catalog, and is called an “Eyeglass/Coin Frame”. They are sold as pairs and are only about 4-5 USD.
Can anyone else recommend handbag making equipment sources for hard-to-find items like these? Nina is located in Kansas City, Missouri, if you know of any bricks-and-mortar shops too!
The July Issue of MagKnits is online and has a nice selection of seven patterns for summer knitting. There are two sleeveless tops, including the lovely Wimbledon sweater pictured here, as well as a short sleeve sweater and long sleeve cardi to keep you warm at night.
The Summer Shawlette is cute and would carry you into the fall. And the final two patterns are a sweet little girls’ dress and Bakerloo (a sideways sock). The socks are knit using a technique that I haven’t seen used much before, and this pattern is almost more of a tutorial. If you are looking for a new way to knit socks, check it out!
July is bags at whiplash - I have collected a few online patterns and tutorials to get you started - do you know of a good online bag resource for readers - leave a comment and I will check it out.
Sewing
totes, slouch bags and messengers
this image is from the tote bag tutorial by little purl of the orient
tote bag tutorial
super eggplant tote 101
craftster jordy bag
craftster hobo jordy bag with tie
craftster messenger bag with gusset
rounded roomy bag
small bags - pouches, drawsting bags and wallets
thimble drawstring bag
craftster hipslinger
craftster - add a slash pocket to your bag
craftster lined zippered pouch
craftster classy pouch
knitting needle case
craftster wallet tutorial
Yarn - felted, knitted and crochet
felted
this image is from instructables and a an easy knit and felt bag
instructables weekend felted knitted bag
knitty mens satchelfelted - booga bag
knitty french market bag
knitted
knitty - unbiased bag
knittysmall hipster pouch
magknits knitted - small amulet bag
magknits knitted - knitted girly bag
crochet
crochet beach bag
tapestry crochet kitty bag
cotton crochet drawstring bag
paper and plastic - using recycled materials
image is from In the wake and is a tutorial on how to make a bag/pouch by melting plastic bags together melted plastic bag pouch
about.com crochet bag using recycled plastic bag
bag from recycled magazines
bag from recycled juice boxes
melted plastic bag pouch
duct tape wallet instructions
book purse tutorial
recycled sweatshirt bag
craftster woven magazine bag
all the tools you need and a tutorial to make a wooden look-a-like necklace at its (K)not wood.
