October 2009

2010 whipup calendar: March artist – Tania Patritti (Ninon)

by kath_red on October 27, 2009

over the next couple of weeks we are going to find out a little more about the wonderful makers featured in the 2010 whipup calendar – March is Tania Patritti (Ninon) with her adorable fabric The Cherrybomb Family.

Bio:
Tania Patritti – super ninon is from Berlin, Germany and sells her work on etsy.
Main craft of choice: Plush Making, sewing
Craft hero: Astulabee, Donna Wilson, Xin of Doinky Doodles
Fave web site: Hello! It’s Meet Me At Mikes!
Fave crafty materials supplier: Frau Tulpe

I asked all our participants to answer a few questions about their creative process:

1. When did you start making/crafting, and who or what inspired that first creative burst?
I started sewing in 2001, taught by my mother, who is a very DIY lady… I had many ideas of things to make, and really felt the urge to be able to realize them. I started with sewing some bags and simple clothes, then later on I started sketch little creatures and bring them to life in 3d.

2. What would you say was that light-bulb moment when you discovered your ‘style’ and really hit your making stride?
When I realized that spending more and more time on one single piece gave me more satisfaction than working on the easy ones, and that in this direction my style would evolve in a more effective way; it makes me very happy when people recognize this effort.

3. Why do you make – what do you get out of it?
I’ve been trying to live out of what I make for the past 5 years, so basically that’s my daily bread :)
I really want to concentrate on my creative projects as a full time job, and see what happens… I love being my own boss, even if sometimes it’s a bit difficult, for many reasons… but still, I am enjoying every minute of it!

All images courtesy Tania Patritti (Ninon).

Find out more about how to get your hands on a copy of the 2010 whipup calendar here.

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the quilt project

by craftapalooza on October 27, 2009

in Community, Quilting

A while ago Kirsty from Kootoyoo put a call out on her blog for participants in a redwork quilt project. I signed up and went about designing and finishing my square. At the time I didn’t give a lot of thought to the other participants, if I’m honest. But then I saw the finished piece and the website that Kirsty had put together and I was blown away. It’s a stunning collaboration and I wish I could have been there in person to see it. Congrats to Kirsty and the other participants. Link to The Quilt Project.

From The Quilt Project blog:

An online community friendship quilt made up of 66 squares.
A modern twist on traditional redwork – participants were asked to “work a square in red”.
After hours of handwork by each of the participants the squares were posted to Melbourne where they were photographed & assembled into a temporary quilt.
Displayed for one night the quilt squares will now be returned to their creators or swapped.
The Quilt Project is a permanent record for everyone to enjoy.

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how-to: polymer clay apple charms

by craftapalooza on October 27, 2009

in Ceramics+Wood+Glass

I’m a sucker for all things apple, so of course I was going to post this. Link to tutorial.

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2010 whipup calendar: January artist –

by kath_red on October 26, 2009

in People

over the next couple of weeks we are going to find out a little more about the wonderful makers featured in the 2010 whipup calendar – January is Margaret Oomen (Resurrection fern) with her assemblage Homage to sea sew, a collection of sea stones & wood slices covered with her handmade crocheted lace, with added vintage thimbles, sea glass, feathers, ferns & moss.

Bio:
Margaret Oomen from resurrection fern lives in Canada and sells her work on etsy.
Main craft of choice: no favorite I love knitting, crocheting, embroidery, hand sewing, felting and printing equally.
Craft hero: I have so many but I don’t think I would be answering these questions if it weren’t for the constant inspiration and encouragement I received from Elsita Mora.
Fave web site Besides whip ( of course) I love Elsita’s web site, poppytalk ( for it’s Canadian content) and bookhou home (Aounna is so very talented, kind and the best instructor).
Fave crafty materials supplier: thrift stores are where I purchase most of my materials, etsy and of course my walks in the forest.

I asked all our participants to answer a few questions about their creative process:

1. When did you start making/crafting, and who or what inspired that first creative burst?
I have been making things as far back as I can remember. As a child I used to make dolls for family members and I embroidered a jean jacket for the lead singer of a local rock band. My father was a great inspiration. He was an electrical engineer and university professor. He instilled in me a love for treasure hunting in both the natural world and second hand stores.

2. What would you say was that light-bulb moment when you discovered your ‘style’ and really hit your making stride?
I don’t think of myself as really having a ‘style’. It is more a ‘process’. I spend lots of time exploring my natural environment. It is my major source of inspiration and also where I find most of the little bits and pieces that end up in my organized collections. I use this to inspire my heart, mind and hands to create things whether it be a crochet covered stone, an embroidered portrait or a softie. I think the light-bulb moment might be when i joined flickr and then later started a blog and realized I was a small maker of things in a large wonderful supportive community.

3. Why do you make – what do you get out of it?
It keeps me balanced and has allowed me to ‘meet’ so many amazing people. My other motive is to inspire others to get outside, explore the world, fall in love with it, share it with others and vow to preserve it.

the pictures in order of appearance are 1. blue green collection in a hoop, 2. the owl and the pussycat (was made for daughter Rebekah’s birthday), 3. the language of stones ( available as a print in my etsy shop),
4. matryoshka turtle (one of three softies made for plush you 2009 and available for sale at Schmancy, Seattle).

Find out more about how to get your hands on a copy of the 2010 whipup calendar here.

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2010 whipup calendar: cover artist – Susan Chi (Tada’s Revolution)

by kath_red on October 25, 2009

in People

over the next couple of weeks we are going to find out a little more about the wonderful makers featured in the 2010 whipup calendar – starting with Susan Chi (Tada’s Revolution). Susan’s Grand Theft Auto, fun gorgeous characters crocheted with yarn – is our wonderful fun and quirky cover image.

Bio:
Susan Chi from USA / Saint Louis, Missouri – her website is: www.tadasrevolution.com
Main craft of choice: crocheting and sewing stuffed animals (amigurumi and nuigurumi)
Craft hero: Christine of SugarElf
Fave web site (whipup of course but do you have another fave?): Etsy, eBay, Three Potato Four
Fave crafty materials supplier: Kirkwood Knittery and Knitorious in Saint Louis

I asked all our participants to answer a few questions about their creative process:

1. When did you start making/crafting, and who or what inspired that first creative burst?
I first learned to draw when I was three years old. When I was growing up, I used to spent time around my uncle and cousin who were painting pictures all the time. I started to draw every day, whatever I could find, including my grandpa, and carrots.

2. What would you say was that light-bulb moment when you discovered your ‘style’ and really hit your making stride?
I constantly find inspiration in art and nature, and I think that my style constantly evolves. Often going through phases. If you look closely at a string of my pieces or photo sets, you can usually pick up on my obsessions of the moment.

3. Why do you make – what do you get out of it?
Crafting and art has become a central thread of my life, and it is hard for me to picture life without doing arts or crafts of some sort. When I craft, it brings me order, peace, and happiness.

Find out more about how to get your hands on a copy of the 2010 whipup calendar here.

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red dress design contest

by kath_red on October 25, 2009

in Community

“AdDress Your Heart” Design Contest: Between now and November 6, enter your dress design to win: The winner and his/her heart-health hero will have the opportunity to celebrate American Heart Month with Tim Gunn on the red carpet of the Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards in February. With each vote online, Campbell will make a $1 donation to the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement (up to $625,000).

To enter: share as story (250 words or less), about a heart-health hero and how you and/or your heart-health hero takes steps to live a heart-healthy lifestyle. Upload an original red dress sketch that incorporates the use of Campbell brand – more details here.

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how-to: tiny tophat

by craftapalooza on October 23, 2009

in Paper+Mixed Media

Ann Wood shares how she makes her itty bitty tophats for her glorious birds. Link to tutorial.

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how-to: use flexible purse frames

by craftapalooza on October 23, 2009

in Sewing+Fabric

I love those flexible purse frames, but am often stumped when it comes to actually using them. Nicole gives us a pattern to create a sweet little purse. Link to tutorial.