Crafty Round-Up

Tutorial: Pretty Flower Pots

2010-04-08T14:12:00.003-04:00

I just found this while toodling around another blog or two - mainly, Mod Podge Rocks. They had hosted the lovely tutorial by Lavender and Limes for these adorable flower pots. I wish I hadn't given away so much of my scrap fabric (for a good cause and a win-win situation at the time), since it would've been perfect for making small pots like these, but nonetheless, the remnants bin is still there and calling to me. :D I think these would also make lovely pots for gifts especially. What a way to brighten a room!

Anyway, you can find the tutorial over at L&L, here: http://lavenderlimes.blogspot.com/2010/01/pretty-pots.html

Two Tutorials: Dying Craft Components

2010-03-04T22:47:00.003-05:00

I found these two tuts, which are actually pretty similar, and I'm amazed by both. I really want to do both, but I think it'll have to wait until after I move.

Tutorial # 1: Dye Yarn in a Crock Pot

This looks amazingly simple and cheap. I just wish I had more knitting experience and skill, so I could really have a reason to dye my own yarn. I really love some of the other colors combinations she did as well (if a full-on rainbow doesn't float your boat). You can find this tutorial over at leethal.net - http://www.leethal.net/zine/?p=764.

Tutorial #2: Dye Your Own Batik This is really a lot easier than it sounds. You think, "Jeez, batik? That's a lot of work!" This tutorial really sounds/looks extremely easy, considering it's geared towards a kids' working level... The main things you need are white fabric, blue gel glue, and acrylic paints. That's it! Yeah, I know. I can't wait to try this one out. Here's the post where this specific image came from, but she followed the tutorial found here: http://thatartistwoman.blogspot.com/2008/07/kid-friendly-batik.html . (I'm amused at "kid friendly" - in general, I think it's just generally people-friendly overall.)

Tutorial: Recycled Sweater Lamp

2010-02-07T12:59:00.003-05:00

Making things out of recycled sweaters is really big right now... Or at least, I've noticed quite a few. Unfortunately, I generally buy really nice quality sweaters, and don't go through too many, so I'm never actually recycling any. But, the last time I was at a consignment store, I did mill around a bit in the sweater area, and there were some that were definitely not too shabby (and not that many gem sweaters).

In any case, I found this gem on MSN's main page, but it's from Country Living. It's unfortunately not just a "stand-alone tutorial" - it's part one of a six-part "recycled sweater crafts slideshow". The directions are pretty short and sweet, though. Now, go out and ransack the consignment stores looking for cable sweaters!!

...And check out the tutorial, and other sweater crafts, here: http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/6-recycled-sweater-crafts

Tutorial: Lacy Votive Holder

2010-02-06T10:23:00.002-05:00

This was today's "Craft of the Day" from Martha Stewart. It looks pretty adorable, and even better, pretty easy to do. I'd be slightly concerned about flammability, but since I'm not a fabric stiffener veteran, I couldn't really vouch for it either way. However, I know my mom has quite a few small glasses that were from old Glade or dollar store candles that would perfect to wrap one of these around. (To be a bit safer, of course.)

You can find the tutorial (very short!) in its entirety here: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/lacy-votive-holder

Paper Crafts: Valentine's Day Hearts

2010-01-31T17:51:00.002-05:00

I get bored at work from time to time - especially when my boss is out for any given length of time. So, I took down the snowflakes I had made before the holidays and started making cut-out hearts for Valentine's Day. There are others (that I will have to go and take pictures of tomorrow), and an unfortunate victim that had to be scrapped due to some very old and clotted spray adhesive, but in general, I really enjoy making these... Not to mention swirls and curls (which I love to do, whenever at all possible) really look wonderful.

This, as all the others, were completely freehanded with a standard size pair of scissors. I'm debating taking my small embroidery scissors in tomorrow to execute some more precise details, but...in short, I seriously love these.

Craft Fail: Tee Dress

2010-01-30T23:52:00.003-05:00

I know I posted the tutorial for a really awesome upcycled tee dress on here some time back. Well, I made it tonight. And it was horrible. Really, really horrible.

You can check out a quick recap and pictures of the horror show (please keep bleach nearby for burning your eyes after viewing) at craftfail.com.

Completed Project: Felted Chickadee (Ornament)

2010-01-30T23:09:00.005-05:00

So, I made one of the two chickadees possible. This is also my first time out felting, and this was considered an intermediate project. It still looks like a chickadee, just nowhere near as awesome as the original/one pictured..

Also, I could not for the life of me figure out how to attach the ribbon the way the instructions said. Soooo, I did the best I could. XD...

However, the instructions were really clear, for the most part, if a bit tricky for beginners. (It said intermediate, though, soooo... again, I'm sure if I was doing a beginner one, I would've aced it. XD)

The nice thing about felting is that it's a great way to get out any sort of passive aggressive energy, AND be productive.

Neat Buy: Chickadee Needle Felting Kit

2010-01-20T18:48:00.004-05:00

I bought this off of woolpet's etsy shop earlier this afternoon. I cannot wait to get my grubby hands on it! I've been wanting to learn about needle felting for some time now (since it's becoming really popular), and I friggin love chickadees. It was a hard choice though, because the red fox was amazingly adorable too.

Hopefully I'll be able to show you a superb finished product, and not just a big ball of fluffy with googly eyes glued on with craft glue. :D..

Tutorial: Book Page Wreath

2010-01-10T08:29:00.003-05:00

I LOVE this wreath! I think it's really appropriate for hanging all year (maybe in part due to the decor layout in the picture). I especially think it looks good for like a coffee nook or somewhere else where good books and good conversation take place. The best part about this wreath is that it's extremely cheap to make, and looks like a million bucks. The author of the tutorial went with a cheap paperback from the dollar store, but I personally would probably splurge and get an old book from Goodwill, so the pages have a decent amount of yellowing, or even a cheap older book that's only in acceptable or fair condition in Amazon's marketplace.

You can find this tutorial at Living With Lindsay, here: http://www.livingwithlindsay.com/2009/11/librarians-please-avert-your-eyes.html

Tutorial: Bamboo Steamer Desk Organizers

2010-01-07T19:24:00.003-05:00

I'm sure you could use this for any kind of item, but I think this is fantastic. Stamps really isn't as appropriate anymore (since the standard is the self-adhesive kind, and not the ones you lick), but you could really use this for anything. I love the idea, but I'm not thrilled that you need to have some kind of random equipment (a p-touch labeler doodad with clear labels, and a wood-burning tool)... Kyle has a p-touch at work, so I'm sure we could figure something out that way, and maybe a soldering iron would work...? Tim Gunn is in my head, but I don't think he's in my hands.

Anyway, check out Martha Stewart's awesome tutorial (video AND written out, thank god - one of my little pet peeves is that sometimes she does video-only tutorials, and really, I don't have time to watch that crap every time I need to look at the directions!!) on her website, here.

Tutorial: Jewelry Tree

2010-01-05T19:20:00.002-05:00

As some of you may know, I am a jewelry fiend - especially when it comes to earrings. (In the not-so-distant past, my earring count was nearing 100.) I am always on the prowl for new, stylish, and inventive ideas for hanging my goods. This completely fits the bill - though, unfortunately, a bit impractical for me, as I'm sure the cats will go bug-nuts for dangly things on a stick (read: too similar to most of my other cat toys). I'll definitely keep this bookmarked for myself for later, but I felt I would be doing my readers a great disservice if I didn't share this tutorial.

You can find the tutorial for the "jewelry tree" over at Craft:'s blog, here: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/01/how-to_make_a_jewelry_tree.html

Completed Project: Simple Knit Scarf

2010-01-04T22:34:00.004-05:00

I knit this quick scarf for my boyfriend Kyle (modelling said scarf). I loved the feel of the yarn (Brown Sheep Burly Spun "Prairie Fire") as soon as I saw it - it was so much roving loveliness and felt a bit like dreadlocks. I haven't really progressed at all in knitting, so I may make it a New Year's resolution to take some classes and be able to do more than just a plain knit stitch. (I used to be able to do purling and even attempt ribs, but that's pretty much all left me from being so, so rusty.)

Tutorial: Upcycled T-Shirt Dress

2009-12-27T20:17:00.006-05:00

I love this tutorial, and have been dying to try it out. I finally bought the large shirt for the bottom, so I may try and sew it sometime this week.

(Tutorial originally found here)

Tutorial: Knitting Needle Roll

2009-12-24T12:13:00.003-05:00

Now, I know this has been done a bajillion times, but I'm always wary of making them, because i get caught up in how simple it could be, but how I'm sure I could screw it up pretty badly. So, Grumperina made up a quick and dirty and awesome knitting needle roll. It's so transportable - but clearly not for planes. (Hello, airport security confiscation!)

Anyway, you can find the tutorial for this knitting needle roll here: http://www.grumperina.com/knitblog/archives/2006/05/sore_subject_1.htm

Tutorial: Felted Wool Mistletoe

2009-12-22T17:45:00.004-05:00

(Actually, you don't need to felt it - you can use recycle a green sweater, or use green felt).

She made the leaves out of a green cable sweater that was felted - but I'm sure you could just use regular felt to get the same effect.

You can check out the tutorial here: http://foothillhomecompanion.blogspot.com/2009/12/felted-wool-mistletoe.html

Tutorial: Tree Wall Mural

2009-12-19T18:59:00.002-05:00

I just found this lovely tree wall mural tutorial.. It's not just vinyl decals, it's actually painted on. While one of the main problems is getting ahold of a projector, once you do, the possiblities are endless. (Why not do a mural of a giant clock, with some free-standing clock mechanism in the center?)

You can find this tutorial at j-a-girl.blogspot.com : http://j-a-girl.blogspot.com/2009/12/tree-mural-tutorial.html

Links: Craft Blogs Ahoy!

2009-12-18T17:12:00.005-05:00

I frequent quite a few craft blogs, which is more or less the inspiration for my creation of this one. Many of the outside tutorials I've found elsewhere are from these blogs. Here is a quick synopsis of links I frequent the most:

Craft:'s online blog (http://blog.craftzine.com) - Love the magazine, wish it came out more often than quarterly, but their blog is a great resource, and also has some really neat artistic things (I mean, when the lines between "art" in a museum and "crafts" are blurred) now and then, which is an added bonus.
Craft Gossip: The Craft Blog Network (http://craftgossip.com) - They have pretty much anything that Craft: would have, but I actually check this one less because it's updated a bajillion times a day. I do have work that I should be doing at work, surprisingly. (Though I did make a joke to my boss today, "Gene, this work stuff is cutting into my craft time!!"
Craftfail.com (http://www.craftfail.com) - Not updated as regularly as I'd like, but I think it still needs to get the word out. Everyone loves to see 'fails' (look how many have sprung up all over the internets), and craft fails really can be hilarious. Also, most of the writers there have a lot of wit to their posts. We almost always fail at some craft or another, so it's nice to know that we're all not going to be able to make a tapestry on our first go.
One Pretty Thing (http://www.oneprettything.com) - A great compendium of all sorts of craft related items, they sure do love lists and their posts are each chock-full of goodies. They usually offer a great idea for fantastic finds on etsy (aka shangri-la). In general, it's a lot of stuff to go through in each post, but it's well worth it.
Sew Green (http://sewgreen.blogspot.com) - Found this blog awhile ago, and they usually have a lot of great ideas, though definitely more widely craft-related than just sewing.
A Print A Day (http://aprintaday.blogspot.com) - Beautiful work, all around. Really a great blog, fantastic artwork.

And now, two select links from two of those blogs!

From craftgossip.com - 12 assorted patterns and charts for needlework (various types) for Christmas - http://needlework.craftgossip.com/free-patterns-and-charts-christmas-18/2009/12/18/

From aprintaday.blogspot.com - Holiday papers, tags, and note pads for download - http://aprintaday.blogspot.com/2009/12/downloads-holiday-2009.html

Events: Holiday Booty Market

2009-12-18T16:42:00.002-05:00

I do have quite a lot of determination when it comes to going to things I've set my mind to. But there's a certain point when I clearly need to throw in the towel. Like a blizzard. I will unfortunately not being going to the Holiday Booty Market in DC. With accumulations ranging anywhere from 4" to 3', I really don't want to risk it. I am, however, going to get new glasses - but the Lenscrafters is only 15 minutes from my apartment, not an hour and a half and in downtown DC, notorious for its poor handling of snow situations.

In Pursuit of Crafts: The Weird Looks You Get...

2009-12-17T17:20:00.002-05:00

...And the weird looks you sometimes give yourself.

Today I was working on making some homemade scented firestarters that I found in the book Green Christmas: How to Have a Joyous, Eco-Friendly Holiday Season by Jennifer Basye Sander and Peter Sander. I bought this little book off of Amazon (Marketplace) a month or more ago, and coincidentally bought it from the wife of a director at the Sierra Club. It must be a sign, right? In any case, I think this little book has a ton of great ideas, and really puts out a lot of things to think about, with a lot of different ideas that you might not think about normally.

In any case, I really was looking a lot into the fireplace ideas - especially Java-Logs (made from recycled coffee grounds) and making my own scented firestarters. Most of the stuff is already kicking around your place, or could be pretty easy to get. (I will probably post a quick-n-dirty tutorial on them here, because the book really only mentions these for a sentence or two, max.) Newspaper (check - the old ones from somebody else, since I don't receive a newspaper), twine (already on-hand), pinecones (picked up off the ground at work during my lunch break). The hard part came to the scenting. The book recommended rosemary or cinnamon sticks. I said fooey to cinnamon sticks, because they aren't cheap. I looked around online a bit more and found other things that are pleasingly scented when burned. So, one of my coworkers brought in a grocery bag full of rosemary branches that he cut off of his well-endowed bush at home. Another one of my coworkers told me about an herb garden that they had attempted outside, but had gone by the wayside. There they had lemon verbena - which had died off probably with the frost, but still had all its leaves all dried up and reading for my greedy clippers.

So, in short, I had a grocery bag full of a certain plant matter, and then several large branches (well, most of what was left of the plant) of lemon verbena on my desk. As we have police officers coming through our office, and I have yet to go down for my random drug testing. I am very, very thankful for two things: one, that I am surrounded by biology/ecology/science people, who realize that it's not any sort of illicit substance; and two, that I am very friendly with the police officers, and they would never question my integrity.

When I came home, I checked on one of the related scenting projects. I had bought orange extract to try and soak the pinecones in, instead of including dried orange peel (more expensive and less uses; I can use orange extract in spritz cookies). I weighted the pinecones down in the extract and water mixture inside a plastic container. When I came home, the water had turned a bit orangey (was originally a cloudy white). And as I was looking at it, I thought to myself, "What crazy person soaks pinecones in orange extract?"

Another craft that has received some extremely odd looks is making felted yarn balls, to be used in the dryer instead of fabic softener sheets. (You can see my fail here.) So, I have a plastic bag full of what looks like hair. A large bag full (I got a steal on an 8oz. pack of samples - and that's a lot of roving/fiber.) I end up getting covered in hair bits, it looks like I've been loving on my cats, so I generally hate to get the really weird looks. The plants all over my desk is charming; the bag of hair is creepy as hell.

Tutorial: Katamari Cousins Christmas Ornaments

2009-12-16T19:30:00.003-05:00

My friend Nick sent this tutorial to me. I am in awe, and can't wait to try this out. Created by alittlestranger.com and posted to instructables.com, these are definitely within my capabilities. The real crux will be trying to decide which cousin to do.... I'd love to do a set. I really like Fujio and Miso. (You can find a whole list of the cousins here: http://katamari.wikia.com/wiki/Cousins).

[On a sidenote, I played Katamari Forever at Best Buy recently, and was completely blown away. The hi-def screen and powerful cell-shading (with outlines) was almost way too much to process. But love the always innovative gameplay. So whenever I get the PS3, I'll definitely be buying that title.]

Event: Holiday Booty Market

2009-12-16T18:01:00.005-05:00

I just saw the posting for this event on Craftzine's blog's weekly article, This Week in Craft Fairs. It was also through this series that I found out about and went to the Holiday Heap, hosted by the Charm City Craft Mafia, on December 5th. (Which was a lot of fun, despite the inclement weather.)

Anyway...

I am looking forward to possibly going to this this weekend. I am still in need of a few items for gifts, especially the odd, random, and awesome crafty tidbits that show up here. I poked through a few of the vendors on their website, and I would definitely like to pick up some zombie holiday cards for next year. You can find more info about the Holiday Booty Market in DC at www.craftmutiny.com. If I do end up going to this event - right now it's about a 50/50 chance - then I will most definitely post a recap, with pictures of my spoils.

Tutorial: Completely Upcycled Gift-Wrapping

2009-12-16T10:51:00.009-05:00

I definitely enjoy upcycling things when I can, though it tends to lead me hording all sorts of useless crap. (What, getting some fugly sweater to make into a rug? And for free? Heck yeah!) However, all of this is pretty much from things you already have and aren't going out of the way to get, unless you are really jonesing for a certain look. I'm sure you can find all sorts of neat and interesting odds and ends to really customize, and use things that otherwise would go in the trash or recycle bin.

For the accent strips, why not use those odd ends of wrapping paper that you obviously don't use? Or maybe pair a few of them for a neat layered look? I know most of us don't have random sweaters that we aren't using anymore, but what about an old t-shirt that's getting a bit holey, layered over the paper bag that's been stamped with a homemade potato stamp. I've always loved the open canvas of a brown paper wrapped gift, so using your paper bags from the grocery store (or really any store that has paper - think Yankee Candle, Macy's, etc) is a great way to go full-circle.

You can find the tutorial over at Craft:'s blog - http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/12/upcycled_gift_wrapping.html

Tutorial: Star Wars Jawa Doll with LED Eyes

2009-12-15T13:05:00.001-05:00

The tutorial for this amazingly adorable Jawa over at Bitter Betty Industries is AMAZING. I am just in awe. (They also did an amazingly cute tutorial last year of a stuffed Bantha). Check out the full tutorial, available in a handy pdf, here: http://bitterbettyindustries.blogspot.com/2009/12/jawa-doll-with-real-eye-light-action.html

In the Beginning...

2009-12-15T09:41:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd start up a craft blog, since I have been working on doing so many things. I generally like to troll the internet in search of craft blogs, especially with ones that have tutorials that I may be able to do. I have tried and have skills in a variety of crafts, but there are very few I would consider myself accomplished in.

I have succeeded regularly in: sewing, embroidery, pumpkin carving, gift wrapping (not so much a craft, but I really do take it to a wholly different level), baking, knitting, beading (jewelry such as earrings and necklaces, mainly), scrapbooking, pottery, drawing, floral arrangements, origami, small crafts.

I have succeeded (once or twice) in: glassblowing, basket weaving, quilting, most knitting (i.e. not scarves, blankets or shawls), mosaics, sculpture, painting, metal working (for jewelry), woodworking, felting.

I am completely inept at - i.e., I have attempted these and failed miserably: crochet.

I have not tried these yet: cross-stitch, needlepoint, spinning, weaving.

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And now, for a bit about myself -

My name is Laura, I'm currently 24 years old, and live with my boyfriend Kyle and my two cats, Disa and Luna, just outside of Baltimore, MD. I currently working as an office assistant for "The City", which is a pretty cushy job that affords me some free time (in part due to my exceeding industriousness the rest of the time) to putz around with crafts. As for my education, I have a BA in History with a minor in Art History, which helped me land a museum job, only until I realized that responsibility is nice, but you can't be the cornerstone of four (small) museums when you're 22; it will kill you. In either case, I've been crafting since I was a wee-un - my mom enrolled my sister and myself in 4-H (I learned to sew with a machine in 2nd grade, because I remember we did a runway show and I had sewn an elastic-waist skirt for myself). While I sort of petered off in regards to crafting for awhile, it resumed and has grown exponentially since late high school and college. My college roommate, Meryl, is probably the biggest reason that I have a very endearing love of all sorts of crafts, and she is my biggest supporter. My mom has always been an inherently crafty person - I grew up with the "What, $--?? I could make that!" easily ingrained in me, and I think that's always helped. My love of holidays and home decor also comes from her, so I tend to get carried away.

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As for what to expect on this blog -

I will probably post tutorials I've found, tutorials I've created, patterns (pumpkin or embroidery most likely), crafts I've attempted and succeeded or failed at, books reviews, lists of awesome handmade finds, and any sort of new shops or deals where I find them.

Things you will probably not see are crafts for babies, children, or maternity-related - I plan on never having children, but at some point, I'm sure I will know people that will become pregnant, so I may end up making something or other at some point, but those kind of posts will definitely be few and far between. You will also not see religious crafts, unless you really consider Christmas a truly religious-only holiday. Again, these might happen, but those posts will be few and far between.

Thank you for joining me!