Archive for April, 2008

forum: what are you making

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

knit-r-done posted a link on the ‘what are you making‘ forum thread to her embroidery ‘internal organs’ experiment.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my perceptions of my body. I still plan on doing a lot of knitting, but I’m going to be working a lot of stuff out in my head with embroidery for a while. I’m thinking beyond “body image” to the mental pictures I carry with me of my own inner workings–bones, organ, chemicals.

personal diorama essays

Monday, April 14th, 2008

Sloane Crosley - new book - I Was Told There’d Be Cake (published by Riverhead Trade (April 1, 2008) - is - according one reviewer - a collection of hilariously uncomfortable personal essays. Sloane has created three dioramas - made from plexi glass - to visually illustrate 3 of the essays from her book - the essays: “Sign Language for Infields,” “Smell This,” and “The Pony Problem.” These exquisite, intimate and detailed dioramas can been seen on her website or to find out more about the stories behind them go to her flickr page]

Sloane explains her process of making the dioramas

good dioramas involve a lot of planning. And a lot of plans that don’t work out. But the best part is by far the unexpected aspects, which often arise from problems that need to be solved. Not to mention the whole “life is in the details” thing. Which is kind of where funny essays come from. The details of life are blown up under a microscope until you realize that it’s the daily oddities of our existence that make it what it is. And these dioramas are meant to do that to the extreme.

silhoutte plaque tutorial

Monday, April 14th, 2008

An in-depth how-to, awesome detail. Link. Further down the same post a very sweet framed crochet doily and flower display.

Whip Up is now taking article and tutorial submissions

Monday, April 14th, 2008

Whip Up is now taking article and tutorial submissions.

We are looking for tutorials and submissions that fit within our feel - read our Manifesto for more information.

We are looking for thematic articles and tutorials to fit within the months themes - see monthly themes below - but also timely articles outside of these themes will be considered such as exhibition and pattern reviews, craft memes, fun, frivolous and extreme ideas, etc that cannot wait and do not fit within the theme.

Submissions now being accepted for January, February and March 2008

——–

April - Home (crafts for the home - for the family - practical and comfort and loving crafts)

May - Ephemeral (short lived, naturally occurring, transitory crafts)

June - Traditions (handed down through the generations, classic patterns, colors, and styles, inherited, established, or customary)

——–

To learn more about how to submit an article read the submission guidelines here

diy decorative felt placemats - tutorial

Sunday, April 13th, 2008


Link.

home: for a gnome

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

duckyknits posted a tutorial on the forum for this sweet garden gnome home

Transparent tape image transfer tutorial

Saturday, April 12th, 2008

Transfer images to transparent tape for ATC, collage and altered art. Very nifty!
Link.

home: woven door rug

Saturday, April 12th, 2008

lolly girl has been weaving linen and denim rags to make this fantastic door stop rug.

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Hand braided scarf tutorial

Friday, April 11th, 2008

Beautiful hand braided scarf tutorial, stunning. Link.

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diy origami mobile - tutorial

Friday, April 11th, 2008

Link.

book: anticraft

Friday, April 11th, 2008

AntiCraft: Knitting, Beading and Stitching for the Slightly Sinister by by Renee Rigdon and Zabet Stewart published by North Light Books (November 30, 2007) [want more visit the web site]

You should craft in a medium that understands you

[Renee and Zabets Antifesto]

Anticraft is a glossy black book with rough type and a rude feel. Curious? Well, Anticraft is the ’sellout’ (they say that themselves) book from sinister crafters Renee Rigdon and Zabet Stewart. Its a complete package - witty authors comments, comic strips, crafty facts, patterns galore and glamorous fashion shots. One could almost forget that it is a craft book at all. At times the dark humor gets the better of the craft, which makes reading directions for a project
slightly difficult when laughing so hard.

The combination of mediums, not only through the design, but the variety projects offered makes sure that there is something for everyones liking. Will it be the gaff tape corset or recipe for Hellfire Heartburn Chick Pea Soup that will tickle your fancy? Although they say they only put 5% of their time into writing, this collection of patterns and ideas is comprehensive enough to fuel the imagination for many a read. Accompanied by illustrated useful tips in the back for those that have never crochetted or knitted or beaded before, Anticraft makes an excellent addition to any bookshelf.

About the patterns: my fave project - the Whilameenas - Nothing like a creppy softie to adorn the mantle piece. Definitely one to make for the person that you can’t live without. Strangest - the Skylla - the menstrual cup cozy shaped like a squid.
It really bent my imagination, but was cute at the same time. I would fear an unsuspecting guest would pick it up and get quite a surprise. The worst project - but only from where I sit - The Captains Daughter… just a little bit too soft for a cat-of-nine tails… maybe its the photo or the unconvincing noise whipping wool makes?

The design is heavy throughout the book. Definitely not for the faint hearted. It has a well thought out but complicated structure makes it an interesting read from whichever page you start. I found it hard to follow all the information without getting sidetracked and the lack of colour through the project pages made it all blur together a bit. The photography varied, the idea of stripping out the colours except for the project piece is a nice one… except when the piece is black.
Perhaps it is the matt paper that soaks up the ink that leaves the photos a little flat.

In the introduction the book, we are introduced to the concept of a journey through the work of 19 designers, and that is what it is. A complete smorgasboard of work from a variety of crafty disciplines, some projects have been around a while, but here they are presented with a twist. And basically that is the book, craft with a cynical sinister twist.

About the reviewer: Heather is a designer and illustrator who loves to make things - she has a suitcase full of vintage fabrics, ribbons and papers and sews away on her grandmothers old singer sewing machine. She is a subversive crafter at heart and resides in Australia.

news and events

Friday, April 11th, 2008

Textile Study Group of New York. This month, instead of a lecture we are having a Member’s Slide Show. It is a free admission and a great way for people to meet all the talented members in our association. [get a preview at the gallery] - Wednesday, April 16, 7 pm - A.I.R. Gallery II, 511W. 25TH St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), #301, New York City

hip new place opening in London - The Make Lounge, which specialises in cool contemporary craft workshops – ranging from making eco-totes through to learning to crochet and sew as well as making Japanese style note-books or mosaics. It is officially opening in a gorgeous Georgian house on Barnsbury Street off Upper Street (near to Aria) on April 30th.

photo tutorials

Friday, April 11th, 2008

Photojojo has teamed up with Instructables to bring you Photojojo Photo Month! Enter your photo-related project to win awesome prizes from Photojojo! And check out the Photojojo tutorial on Shoot to Sell: Taking Better Photos for eBay, Etsy & Instructables - Tips on lighting, background, using a tripod and more

home: beauty

Friday, April 11th, 2008

Homemade soap - from scratch heres a tutorial from Dinosaurs and Moustaches

homemade soap by ove jota [image]

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homemade hair remover [recipe at bella sugar via not martha]

check out nature moms blog with lots of frugal and eco friendly beauty tips - link to skin care recipes

- soak in milky bathwater - use apple cider vinegar as a skin cleanser and toner - use oatmeal and water in cotton as a skin cleanser and scrub - also read up on the no-shampoo alternative - using baking soda and apple cider vinegar

did you know that honey is a perfect face cleanser and body moisturizer - read more homemade beauty remedies using honey here also check out other links on homemade makeup remover - simply Olive Oil, Castor Oil and Canola Oil - did you know that natural yogurt is a great skin softener

check out the worsted witches sugary skin secret treatment and check out all the gorgeous natural skin care recipes at ladies blend

diy custom paper silhouettes - tutorial

Thursday, April 10th, 2008

Link.

Bear and bunny stitchette freebie

Thursday, April 10th, 2008

Hilary’s at it again, sweet bear and bunny stitchette patterns. Link.

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needle felted hen

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

all around us posted a link on the forum to her tutorial for this gorgeous needle felted hen

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forum: what are you making

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

[forum discussion]

vintage ric rac - bag tutorial

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all around us - needle felted rabbit

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lil birdie stitches - patchwork ball tutorial

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sew christine - wallet tutorial

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Cherry-Picker crochet earrings tutorial

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

Sweet cherries by Roxycraft. Link.

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Ribbon dispenser box

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

Make your own ribbon dispenser box.

ribbon dispenser box

Link, via.