Posts Tagged ‘Craft’

I go back and forth on Valentine's Day. Sometimes it gets me down, but other times I'm just happy to have an excuse to inject a bit of colour and fun into the dreariest part of the year.

Photography, Ryan Brook

It's been grey and soggy here all week, so to cheer myself up I've been eating Hershey's kisses and checking out Valentine's Day crafts.

• Valentine's Friendship Bracelets from The Purl Bee. The hearts and arrows are cute, though I don't know if I'd be able to resist playing Cupid...
• Freja Mittens from Knitty. Red and white and (g)loved all over.
• Heart-shaped candy boxes from our February issue. They were created by Jeromina Juan – remember her peek-a-boo heart vases from last year?
• Love socks! I love the intarsia hearts on the heels...like a secret message.

Other things that have caught my eye this week:

• This sweater, with its stripes and shawl collar, would be perfect for Saturday brunch, don't you think?
• These business cards, filled with confetti, made me laugh. I'd love to have something similar...but filled with googly eyes!
• Twitter. I've succumbed. If you want to read random crafty tweets (and the occasional bit of silliness), you can follow me @AustenGilliland.

Don't forget that the Bernat giveaway is still on. You can enter until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. Good luck!

Have a great weekend, friends.

Thanks for your kind comments on my shamelessly repeated 2012 craft resolutions last week. It's so nice to know I'm not the only one who didn't quite hit the mark last year and would like to pretend 2011 never happened.

One comment in particular grabbed my attention.

Wanda mentioned tackling some items on her knitting bucket list. She's already finished one item – boom! done! – and is steadily working her way through the projects she's always wanted to tackle.

When I read that, I realized I don't have a craft bucket list. I think it's a great thing to have – it's an excellent way to set your sights on projects that are challenging and inspiring. These are the projects you'd try if you won the lottery and could do anything you pleased with your time. Not that I...um...think about that all the time or anything.

So, without further ado, here are the dream projects I need to get done in this lifetime.

1. Dear Jane quilt. This is the most enormous, involved quilting project I could imagine, besides #2 on my bucket list.

Photo, twiddletails @ Flickr

2. Baltimore album quilt. I love appliqué, so this is a natural on my list. I'm pretty sure I'd have to quit doing anything other than appliqué for years to get one done.

Photo, mm_berndt @ Flickr

3. Granny square afghan. I remember these afghans on my grandmother's and my aunt's couches back in the '70s. I'd make mine with dove grey backgrounds and vibrant centres.

Photo, MissMessie @ Flickr

4. Irish fisherman's cardigan. My mom had a beautiful one of these sweaters. It was made from the warmest, most bulletproof cream-coloured wool I've ever seen. I love the challenge of using all those different stitch patterns in one garment.

Photo, siobhanmc @ Flickr

So now that you've seen some of the things I'd like to make, what's on your list? Share your project links in the comments below!

2011 was not the leisurely, craft-filled success I imagined it would be last January.

As it turned out, last year's crafty resolutions were not the most pressing thing I had to worry about. I had a lot more family stuff on my plate than time for thoughtful making and doing.

While I did manage to hit some of the targets I envisioned on that faraway January day, I missed quite a few by a long shot. So I'm requesting a do-over. Not of 2011 – perish the thought! – but of some of the resolutions I made but didn't quite get to.

Tina's Kinder, Gentler 2011 2012 Crafty Resolutions

1. Make what I love. I've made my fair share of things that I thought were either a) good for me to learn or b) requested by someone else. While I love making things for other people, I think I'll stick to the crafts that make me feel happy and that I enjoy making. That means a 2012 filled with quilt squares, knitted blankets and origami projects.

2. Share my skills and passions with others. Crafting with other people is so much fun – but it's something I rarely do. This year, I'm going to make a point of spending time with other crafters, whether it's at work over lunch with a friend or as the member of a group. Perhaps it's time I joined a quilt guild. Hmmmm.

3. Wear, look at or sleep under what I've made more often. My husband recently remarked – a little sadly – that we still don't have a homemade quilt for our bed. So I'm dubbing 2012 The Year I Made a Quilt to Keep. Heck, I've already got about 800 half-triangle squares ready for my Jack-in-the-Box quilt. 2012 is the year I'm finally going to finish it.

4. Try new things when they pop up and inspire me. Living in the moment is not something I do naturally. But a little Zen in my crafting life (and my regular life) wouldn't be a bad thing. This year, I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for new crafty pursuits that intrigue me. When I see one, I'll let the spirit move me – whether or not the dishes or the laundry get done.

Now that you've read all of our crafty resolutions for 2012, it's your turn. Come back tomorrow and share your resolutions with us. One lucky commenter will win a great prize!

That's it: 2012 is the year of Getting Things Done. While I'd love to apply that theme to all areas of life (laundry would be a good start), I'm focusing on my craft room. Making things is what I love to do, so why do I find myself daydreaming on the subway about french seams – but never sitting down at the sewing machine?

The best way to Get Things Done is to make a plan of action, so here it is. And now that it's in writing (and on the Internet, so it must be true), I'll have to stick to it!

• Schedule it. I'm taking a cue from the experts and scheduling a weekly date with my fabric scissors. I have designated one hour every Sunday at 1 p.m. as Craft Time. I've plugged it into my iPhone and written it on the fridge calendar for the whole family to see. My hope is that one hour will become two or three or more, but it's a start.

• Organize it. I've accumulated a stack of fabric – most of it already washed, even! – that I bought over the past few years with projects in mind. On my first few craft dates, I'm going to reorganize my space, toss or donate what I don't need, and save only those items I have a specific purpose for. Then to kick things off, I'm crossing another to-do off my list, and making an inspiration board.

• Deal with it. That means finishing things before starting something new. (I must confess.... I didn't get far with my online sewing course). Making things to put these cute labels on. Entering contests so that I have concrete deadlines. Creating things for people (my husband asked last night if I could craft him some ukelele tags...I have no idea what they are, but it's worth a try). Learning new skills if necessary (I will master the art of macrame in 2012!).

And that's it. Easy peasy, right? I know resolutions are usually made to be broken, but I'm going to put my best walking foot forward. Here's to a craftacular year!

Happy New Year, friends!

You won't hear this girl vowing to eat less and exercise more any time soon (I mean, my desk is just 12 steps away from the Test Kitchen!).

However, I do love the opportunity that the new year gives us to reflect on the year past and make plans for the year to come. For me, it's not about making hard-and-fast rules, but more about realigning my plans to fit my interests and ambitions – and, hopefully, encouraging myself to learn and grow.

Here are my 2011 crafty resolutions.

1. Craft with intention.

I live in a small space and try to keep to a realistic budget, which means I don't necessarily have the room (or the money) to make things just for the sake of, well, making things. This year, when I'm inspired to rush out and buy supplies for a new craft project, I'm going to ask myself:

• Is it beautiful or useful?
• Will I actually wear it/use it/look at it with pride?
• Is this something I'm going to resent having to dust (or hand-wash) in two months' time?

2. Use what I have.

Just before Christmas, driven by who-knows-what urge, I dumped out part of my yarn stash, lined it up on my coffee table, and took this photo:

Good grief! For the next year, when I want to cast on for a pair of socks, a shawl, a hat or any other single-skein project, I have to go "shopping" at home. And the same goes for sewing projects: no new fabric comes in until some of it departs – in a form other than that of a neatly folded fat quarter.

3. Do more to celebrate Canadian talent

Canada is home to a whole bunch of seriously talented knitters, sewists, crafters, designers, yarn-dyers and pattern-writers, some of whom I'm lucky enough to know personally, and many of whom I'd love to meet.

So, 2012 will be the year I make an effort to connect with more of Canada's talented makers and do-ers, and to support them by shopping at their stores, buying their books, yarns and patterns, and wearing Canadian designs with pride. (Know a great Canadian crafter you think I should know about? Please, introduce me!)

4. Try something new.

OK, so 2011 was the year I learned I'm not going to convert into a full-time moccasin maker or a talented jewelry artist. (One pair of shoes was enough!)

But just because I intend to stick to knitting and sewing  doesn't mean I can't learn a new skill. Maybe it's time to tackle a cathedral windows quilt or try making some Estonian-inspired lace (nupps, anyone)?

Then again, maybe this is the year I'll finally break down and buy that Cricket loom...

5. Resuscitate my sewing machine.

It's been months since I used my sewing machine – and that's no good! Last week (well before I made resolution #2, mind you) I pre-ordered a fat quarter bundle of Free Market Fancy (it's being re-released in March). I'm going to make a quilt and I can't wait!

Tune in tomorrow to find out what resolutions Lisa made for 2012, and on Thursday to see what Tina's planned for the year. Then get ready to share your resolutions with us on Friday (we've got a great prize to give away to one lucky commenter!).

Hi friends,

I spent a bit of time thinking about Christmas this weekend (I can't help it: blame the cool weather, or the time change, or maybe the Christmas music at the drugstore) and made a major resolution:

This year, I'm buying gifts.

I know, I know, that's hardly earth-shattering. In fact, it's what most people do every year. But I've been giving homemade gifts for almost a decade now. This is a big deal for me.

Thing is, I miss shopping. I miss the hustle-bustle, the thrill of the hunt for the perfect present (and, really, for the too-good-to-be-true discount). I even miss (just a little) that Christmas music.

What I won't miss? The lineups at the fabric store. The late nights of knitting. The frantic realization that what I've made is the wrong size, shape, colour or...well, just wrong.

So this year, I'm taking a break from handmade gifts. What about you? (And if you are making your gifts, what are you making?)

Tired of the usual jack-o'-lantern with triangle eyes and a gap-toothed grin? Me, too. Last year, some friends and I experimented with a set of hand-carving tools and some plastic fangs.

But that still wasn't exciting enough. This year it was time to get serious. Because what's more fun than disfiguring a huge squash with power tools?

Some folks make incredible jack-o'-lanterns using a Dremel rotary tool. Since I had one gathering dust in my basement, I figured it was time to try my hand at this odd holiday craft. (Note: I bought my Dremel as a private citizen – I don't have a swish endorsement contract, though it might sound like I do.)

Dremel offers a pumpkin-carving how-to on their website, and there are some good tips here and there on the Interwebs that can help you figure out the process. (Reading either of those tip sheets before starting would have been a good idea, but whatever.)

The one tool you need more than anything is patience.

How to carve a pumpkin with power tools

1. Draw or transfer your pattern to the pumpkin. Dremel suggests printing one of their templates and using spray adhesive to stick it to the pumpkin. I did this, but it was really messy. I'd suggest freehand drawing your design or using a skewer to poke holes along the outline of your design.

2. Cut out the lid. Last year, we discovered that a sabre saw makes a dandy lid cutter. Use a sharp kitchen knife to make the first cut, then insert the blade into the cut. Rev up the motor and off you go. Just remember to clean all the pumpkin goop out of the saw before you put it away. Yeeech.

3. Trace the outline of your design with the Dremel. Once you have all the pumpkin guts cleaned up inside, it's time to get creative outside. Use one of the finer carving heads for this task. I made the mistake of using a thicker one, and it made the end result a bit of a mess (you'll see).

4. Carve to add depth. The black areas on this template represented deeper cuts, and grey areas represented shallower ones. The deeper you cut into the pumpkin flesh, the more light will shine through, adding depth to the design. I got tired of getting splattered with pumpkin shrapnel from the Dremel, so I just cut out the darkest spots around the castle with a knife.

5. Set it aflame. Votive candles or tea lights are great, but there are very cool little battery powered lights out there that don't threaten to burn down your porch if left unattended. Look for them at the dollar store.

The verdict? Hrrm. I think I do a much better job with the old-school knife method, but with a simpler design and a little less fine detail (or perhaps a smaller carving head), I might just starting turning out masterpieces. Next year.

Are you ready to give power-tool pumpkin carving a try this year?

Remember the Christmas craft fair quilt I didn't finish last year? Well, I'm back in full swing now, determined to finish it for this year's fair.

Each of the 12 blocks is pieced, then a stem and two leaves are appliquéd on the bottom half. I was not looking forward to making all those bias stems by hand, so I bought myself a little treat: bias tape makers!

They're the coolest little low-tech tools you'll ever find. The ones I got range in width from 1/4 inch to 1 inch.

Making homemade bias tape is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Cut a strip of fabric on the bias. Crisp quilting cottons work especially well. The instructions in the bias tape maker package should tell you how wide to cut the strip.
2. Slide one end of the strip into the bias tape maker. There's a little slot on top, where you can insert an awl or skewer and tease the fabric through.
3. Iron the perfectly folded bias tape that emerges as you pull the tape maker along the fabric strip. That's it!

With these cool tools, you can create single-fold or double-fold bias tape. Single-fold is the single layer that comes straight out of the maker, and it's good for appliqué designs. Double-fold is simply a wider piece of single-fold tape that's folded lengthwise down the centre. Double-fold is typically used for binding edges.

Check out the single-fold bias tape stem on that flower!

There are some very handy tutorials that walk you through the process. Take a look at the ones on You SEW Girl, MADE: and Craft Critique to see each step along the way.

Happy tape making!

Hi friends,

When I get close to the end of a big crafting project, my mind starts to wander from the task at hand to other (newer, shinier, and, in this case, not-as-brown) projects. I blocked the back and sleeves of my sweater over the weekend, and cast on for the front.

(Pro tip: Blocking your knitting makes a world of difference. Want to, but don't want to invest in a $40 blocking board? Hit the art supply store for a piece of foam core. The piece I use is 20 x 30 inches and cost just $3.50. Awesome!)

While I put in all those pins, I was compiling a mental wish list of new things to make and do. Here are some of the items from that list:

• Confetti "ribbon" – I wish I'd seen this in time for my sister's birthday. Also, it'd give you the perfect excuse to go shopping for a new hole-punch.
• It's been a while since I've felt like quilting, but isn't this skinny stacked coin quilt appealing?
• Patchwork quilts pieced from photographs – the Purl Bee hits it out of the park again. Love!
• I love this flowery hat, don't you? Kate is a colourwork genius.
• Speaking of colourwork and knitting, I'm thinking that I need to tackle this vest from the lastest issue of Twist Collective. Argyle? Yes please!

I'm happy to report that you'll be seeing more of us 'round these parts after today. We've got some great ideas lined up, but we're always looking for ideas, which means I'm wondering: What craft project, tool or book would you like to read about this fall? Please, let us know!

Hi friends,

I've gone and done it again: started knitting a sweater under a ridiculous self-imposed deadline.

The pattern is Gwendolyn, from Twist Collective's Fall 2010 issue. I've had the pattern and yarn for almost exactly a year. It took me that long to work up the courage – and work down the queue.

I want to wear it at Squam Art Workshops in six weeks. I've been knitting non-stop – even at picnics.

I've been highlighting charts like crazy. (I've also been watching a lot of Bones. Like, all of Season Five. In four days. But I digress.)

Things were going well, until yesterday. Things looked...lopsided. Oops: those decreases were supposed to happen at EACH end. I put in a lifeline and ripped.

And then I ripped some more. Almost 30 rows. Almost all of Sunday's work. Gone.

I ate some cookies, then started again. Because I know that sometimes, knitting is a no pain, no gain proposition.

Six hours later: success! That's one sleeve, finished. Except....

There's just one small problem. Can you see it? The mis-twisted cable? (Frankly, I blame Agent Booth.)

At this point, I've got three options:

1. Ignore it. This sort of thing is exactly why the phrases "wabi sabi" and  "design feature" were invented.
2. Ladder down. It's possible to unravel just the five stitches in that column down 32 rows, rework the cable, and then work my way back up again.
3. Rip it out. And then reknit the latter half of it for the second time. (In this case, I will definitely need to buy more cookies.)

I'm thinking #2. What would you do?