Welcome! (and a giveaway)
I'm so pleased to welcome you to the new Canadian Living craft blog. Whether you're passionate about one particular craft or, like me, a curious crafter with different works-in-progress piled all over the house, I'm sure you'll find something here to catch your eye.
As the blog grows, I hope you'll check back often to see what I'm up to at Make+Do. You'll find crafting ideas for yourself and your kids; get ideas for green crafting and crafting for charity; and find suggestions for things to make for yourself, your home or to give as gifts (it's never too early to start Christmas crafting!). I'm going to introduce you to crafters from across Canada, share some of the things that inspire me, and maybe even give you the occasional peek at what we're up to behind the scenes as we prepare a craft for the magazine.
Of course, craft blogs are all about sharing. I hope that you'll leave me a comment and let me know what project you're working on. Have a question? Send it my way, and I'll work it into the Crafty Q+A. Proud of what you've made? Send me a photo and a brief description, and I'll share it in the monthly Great Results Roundup. Can't believe it turned out like that? We celebrate the failures, too (goodness knows, I've had my share) in the occasional Craft Fail Collection. Have your own craft blog? Let me know, and I'll add you to the blog roll.
And did I mention the giveaways? I've got a groaning bookshelf loaded with inspiration-filled craft books, and I can't wait to find them a good home. To get things started, I've got a copy of Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross to give to one lucky reader. With projects that range from super simple to a bit more complicated, but all easily doable in a weekend, this book is just the ticket to get your spring or summer wardrobe off to a fun start. For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post by Friday, April 24, at 5 p.m., and I'll announce a winner here on Monday morning.
April 21st, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I am delighted to see you have started this blog. I was out at the shops today looking for drapes and when they didn’t have what I wanted I decided that I should learn how to make them. So that book would sure come in handy in my new endeavor.
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:37 am
Way to go A ! Sounds great I'll be back often - if not daily. Wink.
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:12 am
Hi Austen!
Make+Do sounds like it's going to be an excellent blog. Hopefully it will inspire me to do something with the 'box of possibilities' I've been adding to, but not actually doing anything with the contents. From collecting frozen juice tops in hopes of making Christmas ornaments, to beads and broken jewelry that I've wanted to turn into my own creations. I can't wait to read more!
Alison
Halifax,NS
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:53 am
Yay! The new blog looks fantastic! Someone recommended Weeekend Sewing to me just the other day, and I haven't picked up a copy yet, so I would be especially excited to win one!
Happy crafting!
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:35 am
Yahoo!
So glad to see you over here being crafty! I've always admired your creativity, now I get the instructions on how to do it myself! 
Good luck, Austen! 
(p.s. can you enter me in your contest too, please?)
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Yay! I'm so happy to see a Canadian craft blog! I have a blog as well, focusing on interior design/decor as well as everything handmade.
I'm in the process of obtaining a sewing machine myself, so this book would come in handy!
Trina
decoraddict.blogspot.com
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I'm excited to see what your blog has in store!! I'm adding it to my list of daily reads.
Sign me up for the contest, too.
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:50 pm
How fantastic that Canadian Living now has a craft blog!! I'm an artist and I blog as well. I always love a good DIY project and have boxes of craft supplies. When I'm not painting I'm crafting something. Although I'm not very handy in the sewing department, so yes, please enter me in the giveaway. I'm looking forward to reading the craft blog as well as the rest of Canadian Living. Thanks.
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Brilliant! What an exciting venture!
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Fabulous.Been into crafts for over 50 years.Alwys willing to try something new.Favourite is knitting.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Great Blog!! Looking forward to more great contests!
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:42 am
I just found this. See what happens when I go exploring!!
Please enter me into the contest, and thanks!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:18 am
Hi! I'm definitely the kind of crafter with a million works in progress littered through the house. Lovely contest! Can't wait to see what's in store for the blog.
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:20 am
Im so happy to see a craft blog !!! cant wait to read your posts !!
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
A crafter's blog! What a perfect match!
And what a great idea for a book! I loathe to admit that I'm gung-ho to start a project but usually take on waaaaaaay more than my experience level. A project to complete in a weekend sounds ideal for this novice!
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I can't wait to see this blog develop! I love crafting and often go on a kick in one direction or another, but usually I need something to inspire me! Etsy is great but a blog is better
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I love Canadian Living and I'm SO excited about this blog! I'd love to be included in the blog roll!
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:01 pm
My aunt loves sewing, cross stitching, and digitizing. I'll be glad to pass this along to her.
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:16 pm
How am I going to get my work done when I have so many fantastic blogs to read! Can't wait to see your ideas
Monica
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Great to find a new craft blog - look forward to lots of ideas and projects, and maybe even sharing some of my own. In the bookmark folder!
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Wow. This book is at the very top of my list. I fall to sleep nightly scheming about sinking my teeth into the projects within. Literally.
And I'm now a subscriber here. Can't wait to see what's coming!
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I'm looking forward to your blog - and would love to win your book. I live in Minnesota and am not able to find a store that sells Canadian Living magazine. Would appreciate any help on how to get the May issue. Thanx!
April 24th, 2009 at 12:05 am
I'm like you, with several projects about the house. I don't have a designated area for my sewing machine. So, even though I bought tons of material, and had grand plans to make lots of things, I have found it too much trouble to lug it up from the basement and set it up when I have spare time.
I would really love to be creative, but honestly, don't think I have that gene. lol. Luckily, there are those people, so I can just buy their projects!
April 24th, 2009 at 6:28 am
Yay, another blog for me to routinely follow! I can't wait to see the creative juices that flow here
April 24th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Hi Austen! I've heard so much about you from Sherrie over at Frenchy's Finds. I'm adding you blog to my Bloglines and adding my entry to your giveaway!
April 24th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Hello! I am looking forward to reading your blog! I love crafty blogs!
April 24th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Good luck with blog Austen...I'll be following it. I'm so impressed with Canadian Living and their fab diy sites/blogs. You are on the leading edge as crafts, sewing, knitting are green and making a comeback. On CL they've never left.
April 24th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Hooray, a new craft blog! Can't wait to see what you come up with here. Also, looks like a great book - thanks for the giveaway
April 24th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Found you through Sherrieg's blog (Frenchy's Finds), and will be bookmarking your blog!
Would love to win the book, but at the very least, will definitely enjoy reading the Canadian Living site (as an ex-pat living in the U.S.).
April 24th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I am very excited that you are staring this blog. Can hardly wait. Also looks like a great book - here's crossing my fingers - LOL!
April 25th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I'm so sorry I missed the deadline! I found out about your new blog just a bit too late....I'm sorry I'm not in the contest for the sewing book, but I'm hoping you'll have more giveaways down the road a bit...looking forward to keeping up with you now!
April 26th, 2009 at 9:31 am
hi austen!
looking forward to following your projects here! looks great so far!
April 27th, 2009 at 1:56 am
love to have something new for crafts. keep up the good work
April 28th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I love that there is a craft blog. I only wish there had been one over the last 10+ years. That's o.k. though, I eagerly look to the future!