CRAFTNICITY

Shapeways Sweepstakes

Who doesn't love sweepstakes? If you do, you'll want to check out this cool new way to show off your design skills by creating earrings.

Shapeways.com has just launched a new "Draw Your Own Earrings" service that allows anyone to design their own earrings and have them custom made at an affordable price.

In honor of this service, Shapeways is hosting a month-long sweepstakes challenging arts and design mavens (and wannabees) to get creative and design a pair of earrings that truly expresses their own personal style. That's what I love about this sweepstakes. It's about creativity, authenticity and personal style and not just about answering some odd questions and clicking "send."

Twenty-five winners will have their earrings made in a variety of materials, the first place winner in silver!

If you'd like to enter, draw your earrings on the official sketch sheet and email the design to Shapeways between now and July 31. No purchase is necessary to enter.

To download an official sketch sheet, read complete sweepstakes rules, learn about other great prizes, and check out some of the earring designs that have already been submitted, visit http://www.shapeways.com/contest/draw_your_own_earrings.

Kids Just Don't Understand

At home, I'm a free spirit. I laugh and joke and do silly dancing with my boys. It's freeing, playful and fun. My intention this year is to bring that sense of joy and abandon to my creative life.

But, that was until my 5-yo son got hold of some scissors and cut my knitting.

I knit a two-stranded hat. All that was left for me to do to finish it was to weave in the ends of many strands of yarn and make ties for the ear flaps.

It happened so quickly.

"Look mommy!"

He stood at the top of the steps -- hat on his head, scissors in his hand. He had cut off all the ends -- ends that will unravel the entire hat if you pull it just a little -- ends that were about six inches now cut down to one inch.

Okay, it's not that major. I looked up how to weave in the ends when they are too short. The instructions were to simply weave the tapestry needle through a few stitches and then thread the needle and pull through. Easy enough. But that's not the point.

I thought everyone understood the rule -- don't mess with mama's knitting.

My 15-yo understands. The other day he said, "I bet if I fell 50 feet, you'd say don't fall on my knitting."

Doesn't he know that I'd check to see if he was hurt after I rolled him off my knitting? Gosh!

Paper Crafts: 10 Stylish Cards to Make and Write On

Last week, I got a handwritten notecard from my younger son's teacher in the mail. In the age of emails and texting, it was a welcomed surprise. I was actually pretty tickled by it.

January 23rd is National Handwriting Day, a day observed on John Hancock's birthday to encourage handwriting. In its honor, I decided to act on my new respect for paper crafts and make a vintage collage notecard.

Tomorrow, I'll write the teacher a note and put it in the mailbox. I even plan to hand-address it (instead of using Stamps.com) and put a stamp on it -- gasp!

In case you're feeling a little vintage and crafty, I thought I would share the links to 10 simple, stylish cards you can create. There's nothing nicer than to hand-write on something hand-made.

From Craft Stylish:

1. Twirly butterfly cards
2. Fabric postcard party invitation
3. Button-embellished cards
4. Reuse and recycle note cards
5. Quilled note cards
6. How to embroider a greeting card
7. Super easy card
8. How to make collage cards
9. Extraordinary thank you notes
10. Add fabric to paper or cards

Learning from Lace

Today, I'm excited to be part of Donna Druchunas' blog tour for her soon-to-be-released book, Successful Lace Knitting: Celebrating the Work of Dorothy Reade. My knit pullover, inspired by Indian tunics, is one of the knit designs featured in the book, each design an interpretation of one of Reade's lace patterns.

Each designer was allowed to choose a lace pattern. When I first saw the lace swatch, I envisioned a woman standing with her hands outstretched in triumph or celebration. Once I started knitting, the floral pattern seemed to reveal itself.

I prefer to make things that I'm drawn to or connect to in some way. For me, this beautiful lace patten was about celebration and renewal.

The lace in the pullover I designed mimics the detailed embroidery generally found on the yoke and hemline of traditional Indian tunics. I pulled out a simple eyelet pattern from part of the lace and used it to add a little interest throughout the body. Although the lace is more of an accent in the pullover than the main feature, I think it still makes a statement.

I wanted to create a sweater that felt light, so I chose to work with skinny yarn. I chose Jagger Spun, The Maine Line yarn in fingering weight. Unlike a lot of knitters, I don't have a huge stash and I had never worked with Jagger Spun. But based on yarn reviews and its vibrant color selection, I took a chance. Once I started knitting, I knew I had made the right choice. It is a soft, lightweight wool that knits up beautifully.

I have to admit that I never considered myself to be much of a lace knitter. I had knit a few eyelet patterns here and there, but the thought of knitting and blocking lace, recovering from any mistakes, and reading those charts...well, I just knew that was never going to happen. But you know what they say about saying "never."

I was surprised that I found a flow to knitting lace and even reading the charts. I have learned to love it and have learned so much about lace-knitting from Dorothy Reade's style. Not only did I reach a point where the knitting began to make sense, I felt this wonderful anticipation of what the lace would reveal next.

If you'd like more information about Donna Druchunas' book tour and other exciting announcements, visit her blog, Sheep to Shawl.

Friday Favorites: Crafty Gifts a Mother Would Love

Favorite crafty gifts for moms:

• Make the gift of flowers with this buttony bouquet that can be made with dollar store materials.

• These easy-to-make, sweet-smelling organza sachets are perfect for closets and drawers.

• Patterned bags are an alternative for wrapping small gifts and cards and add just the right finishing touch.

(Photo courtesy of jonathanb1989)

Make it Sacred Challenge

We moved in with my mom a little over a year ago at the request of one of her doctors. In some ways, it was an upgrade for us. We moved from a 1200-square foot ranch to a two-story, 1800-square foot home

With two children, our home was nice yet lived in. My mother's home is gorgeous -- the loft, the Chinese decor, the plush furniture -- and I'm lost in its beauty. Nothing feels like ME.

I kept reminding myself that the arrangement was a temporary one; that once my house sold, we'd make plans to move into a space that would more comfortably accomodate all of us. But this holding cell mindset is the equivalent of living in boxes because you plan to move out...someday. It doesn't feel good.

I'm challenging myself to create sacred spaces for ME in HER home -- nothing bold and sweeping, but tiny changes that express my personality and creativity.

Making it sacred starts with taking a mini-tour, surveying every room, corner, closet...everything, and asking questions:

• How do I feel being in this space? Am I tense, too hot, comfortable?
• What could improve the look and feel of this room? Rearranging furniture, painting, adding photographs?
• What colors would look great?
• Does a theme for this space come to mind?

I think I have an idea where to start. I'll let you know.

Connecting to Spirit: Expressing Your Inner Butterfly

KELEE KATILLAC: Design Gives Back (Girl's Bedroom) from Kelee Katillac on Vimeo.

 

{The following is a guest post from "reformed" interior designer, Kelee Katillac.}

It was 1990, just before the holidays, and I was unhappy with life. The thought of another artificial Christmas tree -- and Christmas -- was unbearable. I was longing for something real, deeper and true. I suddenly had to have a real tree. And, I was putting the stops on obligatory gifts. This was the start of a much bigger change to come. I was ready to grow and transform.

As an interior designer, working in a field of material expression, I began to look for the real meanings buried in the things we buy, collect, make and own. I started to think of my work as a spiritual calling, rather than as a sales position in which I forced my taste and style upon my clients. I encouraged them to see their homes as cocoons of Spirit; places in which to transform and become our best selves.

So, in my first book House of Belief: Creating Your Personal Style, I told the stories of people from all walks of life who had created homes from their hearts.  They had allowed their hands to become conduits, like early-stage butterfly wings erupting from the cocoon.  This is the outcome when we create from our spirit's intentions: our inner butterfly can fly us to our purpose and our peace.

The cocoon of home ultimately becomes a place where our families feel loved, valued and accepted, and a place where our kids are more cherished than with expensive trappings. Thrifty DIY living is the purpose of my new blog and web-show The Katillac Shack. Every week I present ideas to inspire a design and believe life.

The design and believe process is an exercise in making your intentions appear before your eyes...creating crafts, furniture, room design and decor to represent who you are now and who you intend to become in life. Most of the projects are equally good for adults and kids alike. In Kids' Sacred Places: Rooms for Believing and Belonging, the following project is outlined and recommended for adults, kids, groups and seniors.

I have demonstrated this heart & hands project on The Christopher Lowell Show and others, and in big workshops for crafty and creative women. This affirmation pillow comes out as different each time as the person that is making it. As you might imagine, Christopher's pillow was glitzy -- flambouyant! Some are psychedelic others are "designy" and elegant. YOU are the designer of your own wings...what will they look like?

Project: Mixed Messages Knit Greeting Card

I always look for opportunities to celebrate culture and history in my crafts.  Inspired by Ann Budd’s quilt blocks to knit (Piecework September/October 2007), I incorporated the star code pattern (symbolizing the North or Evening Star) to make holiday greeting cards. 

Quilt Codes like the star served as a secret map for slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad. Imagine sending all of this history in a tiny swatch of knitted fabric.

(Reprinted from the holiday print issue of Black Purl Magazine 2007)

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
Beginner

MATERIALS
Yarn: Scrap amounts of fingering weight yarn.  I used Cascade Yarns Cherub Collection 4-Ply (55% Nylon, 45% Acrylic – 50g/240 yards); 1 ball each of shade #1, #12, & #20
Needles:  Size US 2 (2.75 mm)
Gauge:  32 sts and 48 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
Size:  4 ½ by 4 ½ inches
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving ends, row counter (optional).
4 ½ x 6 ¼ inch (11.5 x 15.6 cm) acid- and lignin-free greeting cards (available at craft stores)

INSTRUCTIONS

CO 36 sts.

Rows 1-9:   Knit
Rows 10-45:   Follow star quilt chart.

PATTERN: Crocheted Baggy Coin Purse

Strips of plastic bags are surprisingly strong when crocheted to make this cute coin purse.  Vary the lengths of strips and color for a unique look.

Materials
Assorted plastic shopping bags, cut into ½”-wide strips and rolled into a ball (see note below)
Size 00/3.50mm steel crochet hook
Buttons, washers and other embellishments (optional)

Size
3 ¼ inches wide; 4 inches high (with flap closed)

Gauge
5 stitches and 4 rows per inch

Stitches Used
Single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st)

Note:  Before crocheting the coin purse, the plastic bags need to be prepared.  Tie or intertwine the ends of varying lengths and colors of plastic strips and roll into a ball.  The purse is crocheted as one piece, folded and crocheted together.
 
Instructions
Fdn Row: Ch 15
Row 1:  Starting in 2nd chain from hook, sc in each ch to end (14 stitches).  Ch 1, turn.
Row 2:  Sc in each sc across.  Ch 1, turn.

Continue in pattern until piece measures 6 inches.  Place markers at the beginning and end of this row.

Dec Row: Insert hook in first sc and pull up loop.  Insert hook in second sc and pull up loop (3 loops on hook).  YO and draw through all 3 loops (1 decrease made).  Sc in each sc across to last 2 stitches.  Decrease.

Continue to decrease 1 stitch at the beginning and 1 stitch at the end of each row until there are 2 stitches (flap).  Fasten off.

Finishing
Fold purse to markers.  Starting at lower corner and holding edges together, sc edges together.  Continue sc evenly around flap and again sc edges together.  Fold flap. 

© 2005 L’Tanya Durante

African Folklore Embroidery visits Uncommon Threads TV

  In case you missed it... Leora Raikin of African Folklore Embroidery on "Uncommon Threads."