December 2010

whipup newsletter no.47. 2010

by kath_red on December 2, 2010

Just rereading last weeks newsletter and seeing my weather report – how crazy the change in just one week – I feel like its Autumn again with all the soggy muddy rain we are having. And looking at the Northern hemisphere and all that snow – what is it like in your neck of the woods? This past week has been a bit of a whirlwind with kids activities and christmas events, hubby interstate again, and kids home from school feeling a bit sick and exhausted. Needless to say – all good plans must have room for compromise. Today feels like a snuggle up on couch with crochet and cup of tea sort of day – but instead I am tapping away at my computer, getting through all the emails which build up after a couple of days of neglect – but I am making a date with the couch for later in the day – don’t you worry about that!

Next week at whipup I have some lovely book giveaways for you my lovely readers – so keep reading throughout next week to be in the running to win.

So things to do:

Support whipup and buy a calendar here (only $5). Read about all the lovely calendar girls here – Miss November was lucky last.

Make a paperbag bag

Make some drawstring bags

Crochet the ellipse scarflette

Get cracking on your gift making with whipup’s best tutorial list for gift making

Get baking – put shortbread, bagels, croissants and cookies on your list

Books

the knitgrrl guide to professional knitwear design is a must have book for those wanting to design and sell knitting or crochet patterns

Its starting to feel like Christmas
– or whatever it is that you celebrate at this festive time of year. Make some christmas stockings - a christmas wreath – some singing softies – an advent calendar – paper garland decoration. If you celebrate Hanukkah some festive crafts for you too.

Links and crafty news

make a simple festive brooch

Amy Butler’s long awaited Soul Blossoms fabric collections are now available in your local fabric shop!

make some eco packaging

check out 40 idea blogs for kids crafts – whipup is mentioned on that list somewhere

DaWanda’s reycled Xmas competition is now open

Interweave Launches Two New eMags in December: SpinKnit and Handcrafted Jewelry Studio

Grab some christmas printables

the current issue (14) of Mixtape zine is last one (sob sob) so quickly grab it while you can – Best wishes to Justine on her next venture

Join The Green Grocery Bag Challenge – a project to encourage sewists to wrap their holiday gifts in reusable cloth grocery bags, thus reducing the amount of wrapping paper entering the waste stream, while simultaneously getting multi-use bags into the hands of consumers (gift recipients.) Go to the facebook page to find out more.

Ok so get making…
Kathreen
xx

Whip Up Mini Quilts : archives to mini quilt month here where you can learn about the book contributors, get patterns and tutorials and lots of lovely mini quilty things.

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pretty paper garland

by kath_red on December 2, 2010

in Paper+Mixed Media

Ina sent in this link to this circle paper garland - just in time for decorating.

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winter singing softies

by kath_red on December 2, 2010

in Features, Toys+Plush

These caroling dolls make a cute decoration for the holidays or a toy for your child. I used repurposed materials that give the carolers that vintage feel. This decoration can be kept up all winter!

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pocket advent tutorial

by kath_red on December 2, 2010

in Features, Holidays

eek – quick – time to get your advent calendars out from last year – or whip up a new one for this year. Noodlehead has a tutorial for making a cute sewn pocket advent calendar.

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2011 whipup calendar girls: miss november

by kath_red on December 2, 2010

in Whip-Up

Today I want to introduce you to Tania Ennor – 2011 Whipup Calendar’s Miss November: www.myrtleandeunice.com

I asked all the calendar girls a few questions:

1. What were your early craft influences/experiences?
The very first time I ever felt that overwhelming need to ‘make’, I was fourteen or so and I spent some hard earned pennies on fabric for a skirt. Without a notion and certainly without a pattern, I spread the fabric on the floor and did the next logical thing: I rolled. Lay on the floor, lined up waist with fabric edge and rolled. 360 degrees of precision skirt measuring – with a bit extra for the seam. I wore that skirt for years. I wish, I wish, I wish I still had it now. After that, I didn’t do anything even faintly crafty for twenty five years.

2. When did you start getting serious about making stuff – what was the ‘light bulb’ moment for you?
Four years ago, I learnt to knit via Google and YouTube. It was an urge that came out of nowhere. My light bulb moment was when I realised that getting serious about making stuff took away the joy. The trick for me, the thing that gets the pulse racing, is the mischief, the silly, the unexpected, the whim, the Why Not? That’s the sort of thing that has me seriously obsessed. Plus I get a kick out of learning how to do stuff.

3. Name three of your favourite artist/maker/designers who have influenced your artistic direction or your craft practice?
1. My boss at Pentagram Design, London. I spent five years learning from one of the masters. John McConnell is responsible for my love of wit, cliché and an idea with legs.
2. Alan Fletcher, another Pentagram Design great. He taught me the art of looking sideways.
3. People who make stuff ‘just because’. People who make stuff and leave a small mark that might make somebody else smile. People who know that making isn’t always about a practical objective – that sometimes it’s about capturing imagination.

4. What is your favourite material/product to work with? And what three things could you not do without in your craft room?
Screenprinting is all about the love and hate for me. I don’t have enough time, nor enough space and it is endlessly frustrating to have a million ideas pop into my head, fly in the sky, only to be shot down by practicalities. But give me opportunity and I’m a pig in mud (covered in ink). Scalpel. Knitting sticks. Needle. Thread. Fabric stash. Crochet hook. Embroidery hoop. Internet connection. Yarn. Scissors. Wool stuffing. Sewing machine. Seam ripper…Three? Only three? ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?

Support Whipup by purchasing the third annual Whipup.net calendar. Featuring 12 beautiful crafty images from 12 amazing makers.

Print any or all of the three printable ebook formats (vertical a4/letter, horizontal a4/letter and vertical 2 printed to a page a4/letter) or purchase the already beautifully printed hard copy from Redbubble.

Print as many whipup 2011 calendars as you like to give for last minute presents and budget gifts. These also are fabulous to hang in your kitchen, craft room or office. Find out more info here.

All three printable formats are included in the one low price of $5.00

Calendar girls
January: www.lilfishstudios.com
February: www.lavenderlimes.blogspot.com
March: www.dottieangel.blogspot.com
April: www.JammerSage.Etsy.com
May: www.filminthefridge.com
June: www.cozymemories.com
July: www.abitofpillipilli.blogspot.com
August: www.lauraleeburch.com
September: www.oneflewover-oneflewover.com
October: www.elsiemarley.com
November: www.myrtleandeunice.com
December & Cover: www.loulouandoscar.com

Whew! I think thats all the girls – I do hope you have enjoyed meeting all the wonderfully talented calendar girls – and to thank them for being involved in my little annual project.

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whipup 2011 calendar girls: miss December + cover girl

by kath_red on December 1, 2010

in Whip-Up

Today I want to introduce you to Lisa Aaron – 2011 Whipup Calendar’s Miss December & Cover girl: www.loulouandoscar.com

I asked all the calendar girls a few questions:

1. What were your early craft influences/experiences?
I didn’t grow up in a crafty home and my earliest memories of making are flooded with frustration and disappointment. Ideas for projects filled my head but I lacked the ability to turn these ideas into 3d objects. I quickly learned to think of myself as ‘cack handed’, my creations were a mess! I couldn’t get my head around knitting or sewing, I gave up and settled into life as a book worm.

2. When did you start getting serious about making stuff – what was the ‘light bulb’ moment for you?
I decided I wanted to open an Etsy shop before I had begun creating anything. Reading design/craft blogs and then falling in love with the world of plush/soft sculpture gave me the push I needed to overcome my seeming lack of aptitude and begin sewing. I suppose my ‘light bulb’ moment came when I put together the first plush animal for my son, I knew then that I wanted to get my creatures out into the world. The generous comments of the Flickr community and some queries from potential customers gave me the necessary courage to open Lou Lou & Oscar.

3. Name three of your favourite artist/maker/designers who have influences your artistic direction or your craft practice?
A hard question as there are so many artists/makers/designers I admire, I would love to name check them all. But sticking with influences they would be: Nicole Licht (Astulabee) as seminal influence & super smart all-round-good egg! Margie Oomen (Resurrection Fern) for enriching my life with her beautiful & intelligent art work, her generosity and enviable breakfasts! Margie inspired me to open up my senses to the natural world, to begin a little dialogue with the sea that has fed into my work and helped me find a stronger direction. Number three would have to be Jessica Marquez (Miniature Rhino), her beautifully stitched samplers sparked my need to learn how to embroider, I simply fell in love with her work & aspire to stitch that perfectly.

4. What is your favourite material/product to work with? And what three things could you not do without in your craft room?
I have an incurable fetish for fabric: cotton, linen, velvet, oh and wool felt. I couldn’t survive without a fabric marker, sharp scissors & my trusty, cheap sewing machine.

Support Whipup by purchasing the third annual Whipup.net calendar. Featuring 12 beautiful crafty images from 12 amazing makers.

Print any or all of the three printable ebook formats (vertical a4/letter, horizontal a4/letter and vertical 2 printed to a page a4/letter) or purchase the already beautifully printed hard copy from Redbubble.

Print as many whipup 2011 calendars as you like to give for last minute presents and budget gifts. These also are fabulous to hang in your kitchen, craft room or office. Find out more info here.

All three printable formats are included in the one low price of $5.00

Calendar girls
January: www.lilfishstudios.com
February: www.lavenderlimes.blogspot.com
March: www.dottieangel.blogspot.com
April: www.JammerSage.Etsy.com
May: www.filminthefridge.com
June: www.cozymemories.com
July: www.abitofpillipilli.blogspot.com
August: www.lauraleeburch.com
September: www.oneflewover-oneflewover.com
October: www.elsiemarley.com
November: www.myrtleandeunice.com
December & Cover: www.loulouandoscar.com