Archive for June, 2009

Hello again,

I'm back, and this time I've got what everyone's been waiting for. Congratulations to the winner of Weekly Giveaway #6...

...Vickie! She gets her crafting inspiration from a couple of places, she writes:

"I love knitting and my favorite for patterns, ideas, solutions and yarn is ravelry. Locally, I support my local yarn store which has some yummy yarn and wooden needles."

Vickie, thanks for writing in, and keep an eye on your inbox for an email from me.

There were lots of inspiring ideas and exciting craft resources in the comments on last week's post, so if you're in a bit of a crafting drought right now, be sure to head over and take a peek to see where other people are getting their ideas from. I was especially interested to see how many of you find inspiration and materials at your local thrift shop. It would be great to see what you make with the things you find (hint, hint – send me a picture!)/

Now, on to this week's giveaway. I have a copy of the book Feathering the Nest: Tracy Hutson's Earth-Friendly Guide to Decorating Your Baby's Room to give away. This is a Stewart, Tabori & Chang book, so you know right away that it's a beauty. This book is hardcover, with pages and pages of fabulous photos and a DIY project at the end of each chapter. You're sure to get all sorts of ideas from this keeper, whether you've got a baby on the way, toddlers underfoot, or older kids (or even grandkids!).

For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post by 5 pm on Friday, June 12. This week, I'm looking for crafting ideas for kids. What's your favourite way to spend a rainy afternoon with children. Finger paint? Glitter glue? Simple needlework? I'd love to know. As usual, I'll post a winner one week from today (Monday, June 15).

Have a great night, folks!

Hello, crafters!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. I had a great adventure on Saturday: I participated in my first ever TTC Knitalong.

The organizers did a great job setting up the routes, figuring out the teams, making tote bags and badges (above) and wrangling all the knitters (50 all told!) on our city-wide shop hop.

Thanks to The Naked Sheep for this team photo!

Tina and I were on Team East, starting at The Naked Sheep* and moving gradually toward the centre of the city, to The Purple Purl, Lettuce Knit, Americo and Romni Wools. Every time we hopped aboard a streetcar the needles came out and the knitting began. It was a great day.

*One last thing: Lisa at The Naked Sheep asked me to share this exciting news with you:

An exciting celebrity guest will be visiting our store this Wednesday and Thursday! Annie Modesitt will be at the Sheep June 10 and 11. She'll be teaching classes in Combination Knitting and Modular Knitting. Each class is $60, or take two classes for just $100. There are only 5 spots left in each of the classes, so sign up soon! (Call 416-691-6320 for more details and to sign up.)

What did you folks get up to?

(Check back later today for the winner of last week's giveaway.)

Hi there!

I'm glad you folks enjoyed the Lisa Hannigan post. It's been a long time since I went to the record store to buy a CD, but I made an exception for Sea Sew – I just couldn't resist that handstitched cover!

Of course, sometimes you want to get the handmade effect without actually, you know, making it (whatever it is) by hand. If that's the case, check out this round-up of crafty fonts over at How About Orange. Or check out these crafty-doodle dingbats (seen above), passed along to me by fellow crafty copy editor Lisa Fielding. Lots of fun!

PS There's still time to enter this week’s giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Stitch ‘n Bitch, a knitting book with attitude, AND six balls of beautiful angora/bamboo yarn from Patons. Leave a comment on Monday’s post telling me what your favourite craft resource is. Comment by 5 p.m. today; I’ll post a winner next Monday, June 8. Good luck!

Hi friends,

It's a beautiful day here today, one of those days that makes me wish I was in a car with all the windows down and the music up loud. In that spirit, here's a song for you from Irish singer/songwriter Lisa Hannigan. What does that have to do with crafting? Give it a look and you'll understand why I think this is one of the most craft-inspiring things I've watched in 2009.

And if that's not enough, Hannigan hand-sewed the liner notes for her most recent release, Sea Sew. Very cool. Check it out!

Hey folks,

I'm feeling quiet today but had some pictures of my craft area to share, so I thought I'd let them do the talking.

I inherited this desk from a friend who was moving out of town. It's huge – I love that it has room for my radio, computer, sewing machine and essential craft supplies. I hang inspirational photos over my workspace using clothespins and twine.

Pins, needles, markers, pens, pencil crayons, scissors...they all find homes in recycled jam jars, handle-less coffee mugs, and antique tins. That sea shell was used for darning socks - it's pocked with needle holes.

When I'm working on a quilt, I keep my fabrics organized by block using pant hangers. These came from Ikea but any would work.

Of course, not all my fabric is that organized. And that's why I love this ottoman!

I hope to be back with more tomorrow. Have a great night.

PS Don’t forget to enter this week’s giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Stitch ‘n Bitch, a knitting book with attitude, AND six balls of beautiful angora/bamboo yarn from Patons. Leave a comment on Monday’s post telling me what your favourite craft resource is. Comment by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 5; I’ll post a winner next Monday, June 8. Good luck!

Hi friends!

Phew, it's busy-busy here today, but I couldn't wait any longer to share this little DIY project I put together last week. I've been hard at work on my latest quilt, and it is hard work: each block is made of 39(!) different pieces. This is the first quilt I've made using templates instead of rotary-cut shapes, and I quickly found myself challenged by the prospect of all that tracing. The fabric moved around under the template, the marker bled, ugh.

Tracing a template onto fabric can be frustrating.

I was telling my tale of woe to Tina (you'll remember her as the quilter/organizer extraordinaire from last week's organization Q+A post) and she suggested a solution that I liked the sounds of. With a little bit of foam core, some spray adhesive, a sheet of sandpaper and a bit of non-slip drawer liner, she said, I could solve all my tracing woes. She was right!

I stopped to pick up my supplies on my way home from work. A quick search for foam core was fruitless, so I decided to use a clipboard instead. I subbed heavy-duty glue for spray adhesive (it was raining; I couldn't do the spraying outside and didn't want to have a sticky kitchen table). The total cost of my supplies: less than $10.

Clipboard with garnet sandpaper.

First, trimmed the sides of the sandpaper to fit the width of the clipboard. Then I spread a thin layer of glue on both the clipboard and the paper, making sure that the glue went right to the edges. (Obviously, I was working over newsprint, not quilt blocks as above!) I used clothespins to hold the edges of the sandpaper down while the glue dried.

Non-slip drawer liner keeps the board from skating away while I work.

Next, I cut two bands of non-slip drawer liner roughly the length of the clipboard, and attached them to the back of the clipboard with more of glue. It was a challenge to make sure that not too much glue seeped through the liner, and I made sure to leave it to dry upside down, lest I come back and find it securely stuck to the table!

Let's get to work.

Ta da! Once the glue was dry, I was ready to get to work. The non-slip liner keeps the clipboard from moving while I'm tracing; the garnet sandpaper is rough enough to grip the fabric but not so rough as to pick or tear at it. I use a sharp HB pencil to mark lines and dots for cutting lines and seam allowances - the pencil will wash out and I don't have to put up with a stinky marker. (Always test a scrap of fabric before you mark it, though, just to be safe.)

And look at that – quilt ring #1, done and done. Thanks, Tina, for the great advice!

Do you have and tracing hints and tips for me?

PS Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Stitch ‘n Bitch, a knitting book with attitude, AND six balls of beautiful angora/bamboo yarn from Patons. Leave a comment on Monday's post telling me what your favourite craft resource is. Comment by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 5; I’ll post a winner next Monday, June 8. Good luck!

Hello, friends!

Hope you had a great weekend. It was beautiful and sunny here, perfect for a trip downtown to my new favourite yarn store, The Knit Cafe. I picked up a book I've been looking for for a long time (Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson) and some beautiful yarn. I've got a new project in mind; I needed something small and portable to carry with me next Saturday on the upcoming TTC Knitalong and I think I've found just the thing. I can't wait to get started.

Of course, there is some business to attend to first: this week's winner. Congratulations to......Wendy! Wendy is one of many of you who said that your favourite craft for the road is taking pictures to put into albums or on the wall. Wendy, I think you'll get a real kick out of the Unibind PhotoBook Creator Starter Kit and the coupon for two free products (with free shipping) from RocketLife. Keep an eye on your inbox for an email from me.

As for Giveaway #6...heads up, knitters! I've got a copy of  Stitch 'n Bitch, a knitting book with attitude, AND six balls of beautiful angora/bamboo yarn from Patons. I've been working on an afghan with this yarn and it's fabulous - I love the bright colours, and the angora/bamboo combo gives this yarn both incredible softness and a lovely sheen. I think you'll enjoy working with it too.

For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post telling me what your favourite craft resource is. Do you have a great quilt shop just around the corner? A yarn store with a knit night? Or do you prefer to order your materials/get your instructions online or from magazines?  I'd love to know. As usual, you have until this Friday (June 5) at 5 p.m. to leave your comment; I'll post a winner next Monday, June 8. Good luck!