Nikki shell wrote in tell us about a contest/mini challenge sew-a-long that burda style are having: You must upload your creation into the new ‘Mini Challenge’ category by March 15th.

Before and after

The first step in this project is to find a suitable table. Check the size with suit the user and make sure it has a few drawers or doors. In this case, we used a small table with long legs, and multiple drawers. We don’t have a ton of space, so we wanted to go small. The key to this project is working with the piece you have. Figure out how to use the lines and details of the piece to your advantage.

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Etsy seller fede has designed and made these gorgeous ‘first hammer’ for babies which double as a rattle. These are way too cute.

Part of our toys and games month here at whipup - check out these wonderful toys made from recycled wool.

plump WOOLeY BUNNY - made from my old sweater stash felted down - small stone from lake michigan for lovie thoughts inside his belly stuffed with wooly scraps-and then stitched up -

mushroom forest scene- sculpture recycled felted waldorf toy - taken from old felted sweaters and adding some knitting and sculpted felt for rocks.

Woolly Blue Bird - He was stitched completely by hand with embroidery floss. His body is made from felted wool.

Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads by Stephanie Sersich , published by Interweave Press (April 1, 2008).

I am not quite sure why I was so surprised by how much I actually like this book. Maybe it is the too clean, almost stark uninspiring cover that just didn’t catch my imagination. But upon further inspection I am really quite delighted in this book.

Firstly though - this book is not about making glass beads, rather how to use glass beads you have purchased (or made). The begins with an essay on the history of glass beading and then moved on to an explanation on the various types of glass beads - how they are made etc and then a discussion about the elements of design, looking at colour and contrast, repetition and texture.

The main part of the book is full of projects, some techniques and some artist showcases on various types of bead making and some fabulous images of the author in her bead making studio hard at work. There are some quite unique pieces here, such as the Trapeze necklace - which has a combination of fibre, bone, shell and glass beads. I also quite like the whimsical and simply designed ribbon necklace and the more ornate pearly collar (pictured).

I really enjoyed the colourful designs and the simple way the projects are explained and broken down. Highly recommend.

Author website

Artstream in Rochester, NH. Stories and tales opens on March 7 and runs through March 31. Four Artists are included in the show: Abby Glassenberg, Darryl Berger, Alena Hennessy, and Tara Hogan. A 12 minute podcast with Abby is over at Art Esprit.

These images from Abby Glassenberg (while she naps blog) of free-standing soft sculpture birds and mixed media collages that incorporate soft sculpture birds are included in the show.

Part of our toys and games month: Love this cute knitted then felted clam shell by Life of an alien (pattern download is available for a reasonable cost).

By The cart before the horse - love this doll and cat set (available from their ebay store)

This edgar allen poe doll is so incredible.

SPARK MENTORING PROGRAM National | Deadline: March 28, 2008

SPARK is an Australian young artists mentoring program they are currently calling for applications from young artists working in theatre, dance and communities. Applications for SPARK are now open to young artists (aged 18-26 years) from all over Australia.

500 CERAMIC SCULPTURES CALL FOR ENTRIES National | Deadline: March 14, 2008

Lark Books seeks images to publish in a juried celebration of international ceramic sculpture to be released May 2009. Submissions may span the full range of contemporary ceramic sculptural practice, from representational and figurative to abstract, non-narrative work. Please do not submit images that you have previously submitted for other 500 series books. Please make sure that all installation works are professionally photographed. Contact Email: Cassie@larkbooks.com

ELSEWHERE ARTIST COLLABORATIVE International | Deadline:

Elsewhere, an arts production site and experimental museum in downtown Greensboro, NC, is seeking artists, writers, and cultural producers for residencies during its Spring, Summer, and Fall 2008 seasons. Set within a former thrift store housing a 58-year collection of American surplus, thrift, and antiques, Elsewhere invites experimental creators to utilize the immense collection of objects to pursue site-specific material, conceptual, and/or technologically-based projects.

Wonderful reversable chicken and egg pattern by Mochi Mochi available in the new CRAFTzine play issue.

A great game for boys and girls. To play, throw the fish “into” the “water” and fish them up using the magnetic fishing pole.

Project supplies: Felt rectangles (12 x 9 ½), piece of paper, scissors, pins, sewing machine, thread, stuffing, needles, ric rac, metal finding such as a button or a tag, ribbon, magnet, drill, blue cloth, bag

Make fish template from 6 x 9 1/2 paper. Fold felt in half and cut out fish, place the top of the fish template on the fold.

Add Scales: Open up the fish and sew on the ric rac to make scales.

Stitch Up the Fish: Start at the back of the fish and stitch to the top of the mouth. This leaves an opening for you to stuff the fish. Stuff fish with just enough stuffing to give him a little bit of shape. Then stitch closed.

Add eyes: a button or anything magnetic. NOTE: Be sure your eyes are magnetic and can be picked up using a magnet. Then make some water by stitching up the edges of a yard of blue cloth.

To make the Fishing Poles: First cut a length of dowel in half and drill a hole in it one end and tie on a length of ribbon. Consider where you will be playing: standing up? sitting down? That will determine ribbon length. Tie on a magnet or, glue two magnets together with ribbon sandwiched between the magnets.

When you have completed the fish, the water and the poles, toss all the supplies into a bag. Happy Fishing!

About the maker: Tina lives in Virginia with her husband and two kids. She enjoys sewing and crafting, particularly stuff for her kids. In her spare time, she works as a Museum Educator.

for more fishy fun check out mama urchin and here : catarina M : uniform studio : mushroom villagers : thanks Sarah for the heads up