ventures into the blogosphere :: getting crafty with Poppytalk Handmade

I'm always looking for good DIY projects, things that you can personalize  and make your own, and this project, a guest post by Janis Nicolay of Pinecone Camp is most definitely of that sort.  Poppytalk Handmade is a site with that wonderful wabi-sabi aesthetic ever-present, so it's no surprise that I would find something I love here.  I don't know if the style in this project would fit well with my home in the style shared here, but I have some old wall paper found at the thrift store (formerly used to cover a headboard found on the side of the road) that just might work.  You could also use some odds and ends for this project--maybe the cover of a takeout menu with a pretty design or some wrapping paper.  I'd advise against any newspaper, though--with mod podge, the ink tends to run, I've learned.  You could always photocopy something, though, if you want that kind of a look.

poppytalk: Getting Crafty in Chinatown!

 

 

{Image by & belongs to Janis Nicolay}

an idea?

I saw this on Annekata:

and I saw this the other day on Grosgrain Fabulous:

So what about combining the two projects?  Using knits, maybe taken from some tshirts (thrifting trip and a bit of fabric dye experimentation may be required), to make a simple dress?  It'd take a bit of work to find a shirt long enough, but an extra-extra-large men's shirt could do it, I think?  I do think I'll have to give it a go next week.  I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of hiking in a dress, but a just-above-the-knee-length version of this, with a higher waist, is kind of what I have in mind.

swapping (or, why I really need to learn to sew a straight line)

Hello, my name is Katie and I am a colossally inadequate Craftster swap buddy.

I am kind of sort of in awe of the generosity of my swap buddy.  She not only stitched this ridiculously adorable needlebook, but when we talked about swapping other supplies that we have sitting around, she sent me three, yes THREE awesome stamp sets. Super nice stamp sets. And she paid for the shipping for all three, which makes me a little in awe, since I winced at the price of sending my rather humble package of fabric and a few notions all the long way to Canada (of course, that might have had something to do with paying rent the same week?).

Anyway, my slightly-embarrassing effusions aside, here's what I received.

ummmm...wow, thanks!!!!!!  My swap buddy was whats_her_name, who happens to be quite talented, and I guess I'm just a lucky duck today.  It was a super nice surprise after one of those classic crap Monday sort of workdays.  Also, how darling is that card? And how stinking clever to use a rubber stamp for an embroidery pattern as well?  It makes such sense!

p.s. ms. whats_her_name, if you happen to read this, I do hope my package gets to you quite soon, though it's not nearly as impressive.  I did try to pick things that went well with the sorts of projects you've posted before, though!

p.p.s. If I have the time and money this summer, I am going to both purchase a for-real camera and take a photography class so you no longer have to deal with my crappity-crap over/under/oddly exposed and randomly shiny with a tendency to blur photos.

p.p.s. I have been feeling exceptionally verbose lately.  Sorry.  Also, I am Katie-Bee on Craftster as well as in the rest of my life, in spite of now having a last name that starts with an S.

DIY :: "not your grandmother's doily" shirt

I, like the creator of this project, occasionally pick up doilies from thrift shops.  I've made purses from them, remember?  Well, here's another way to use them, and it's pretty clever.  In fact, this might be a project I'll actually do, rather than just post, once I find the right doily to use.

{Image from Trey and Lucy}

So, pop on over to Trey and Lucy, and try this project for yourself.  Then take a look at the great collection of craft tutorials Tanya had posted.

plaid shirt redux

kid's plaid shirt + pinking shears + zipper and cotton = birthday present, to be featured later, upon receipt by the birthday girl.

a saturday morning how-to

Good morning--or, well, afternoon, but if I'm still in my pajamas, can I call it morning?

Last weekend, I had a flurrying moment of creative cleaning.  It didn't last long, and the results are limited, but I'm going to share them with you here in a little project.  All you need is a rectangular piece of fabric, probably around a foot wide and maybe a yard long, a sewing machine, and some sort of drawstring (I used a piece of cotton ribbon that had once wrapped the kitchen towels from our wedding registry).  For the fabric, I used a perfectly shabby chic table runner that I picked up for a dollar.

After a little fun in powerpoint, since I don't have photoshop or anything awesome like that, I put together a picture tutorial.  Here you go!








here's mine hanging out in the kitchen in which it is impossible to get good lighting...



I have the weekend off (hooray!), so there might be some more crafting coming up, like a birthday present for someone who is about to turn sixteen...but I guess I can't post that until she receives it ;).

 

p.s. You can click on the images and I they will get a bit larger so the font is easier to read.

at present

This is how I feel.

{via the angry knitter, with whom I totally sympathize}

I have the needles (size 15).  I have the yarn (super soft boucle). I have the pattern.  But I can't do a purl stitch to save my life.  I've watched two videos and read five sets of instructions and really just need someone to show me how (Oma, want to make a trip to my little town?  I know you know how to knit like no other!  Kat, you can come, too) to actually do these stitches.

Or someone can come and tell me that I'm crazy to attempt an intermediate level project when I a) don't know a purl stitch and b) can't even knit a full scarf without randomly dropping stitches.  I suppose I'm hoping that if I take on a project to make something I'd actually like to make (a wrap), then I'll actually finish it, something else I am notorious for not being able to do.  Oh, yes, I can be an angry knitter.

I do believe this is why my mother told me never to start a new type of craft after nine at night.

a wintery how to: Annekata's Garbo hat

I always find the best tutorials on Kathrin's blog.  I think she would be an entirely interesting person to meet and sew with for an afternoon.  I feel like I could learn so much!

annekata: Greta Garbo and How to Make a New Hat

 

I have some scraps of upholstery fabric that would be great for this project, bought from a remnants table that was sold $3 a pound some time ago.  Wouldn't it be fun to make it from a patchwork and pair it with a scarf made from the same scraps?

a little bit of miniature flowers

My in-laws gave me this neat set: Mini Origami Flowers by Joost Langeveld...



...and I made a little cluster of roses.



It was surprisingly easy (my past efforts at origami have been less than impressive), and looks really sweet.  I liked that the paper was provided--this meant I could get going on a set right away, rather than waiting to go buy some origami paper.  Now I have flowers that will not set a chain reaction of sniffles, itchy eyes, scratchy throats, and empty boxes of tissues and hand sanitizer and a shortage of cough drops.

(Yeah, that's why we had silk flowers in our wedding.  They were also gorgeous, thanks to the sweet (and affordable!) creative florist at A Touch of Elegance.)

holiday DIY of the day #22

It's gift wrapping crunch time!  Check out this round up of free printable gift tags on Creature Comforts.  Even when you're in that last minute rush to get everything under the tree for everyone you love, you can make a simple bit of wrapping or packaging personalized and sweet.  All you need is a printer, paper, and a pair of scissors.  I'd also grab a bit of twine or double stick tape to attach the tag.  My presents have these little tags, attached with baker's twine I bought from Packagery on Etsy...

{a blurry shot is the price I pay for leaving my actual camera at my parents' house and have to use my phone...but that's from the stamp I made from an eraser}

holiday DIY of the day #18, 19, and 20...

and 21 just for kicks...

{via Dottie Angel}

Oh, how behind I am!  Life has been so busy.  I graduated (summa cum laude! even if it won't post on my transcript due to a rule about having at least 60 credit hours at my university), visited lots of family, got beat twice by a comeback from my parents in Rook, welcomed the in-laws for good food and the most entertaining game of Apples to Apples ever played (don't play a card when you're the judge, Gram! ;) ), wrapped Christmas presents, and put in as many hours as I can fit into three days at both of my jobs.

zzzzz...

Anyway, here's a link to a project from Mrs. Eliot Books, a tutorial for making your own stamps from erasers that I followed and used for Christmas gift tags from Creature Comforts (so add making a rubber stamp to the list above), some pretty paper stitched stationery from Design*Sponge , and a felted sweater banner from Dottie Angel (you have to scroll down a bit to get to the tutorial itself).

I suppose that qualifies as a round-up, don't you?

Now, to sleep.  Goodnight world!

holiday DIY of the day #17: double dose!

Today's post comes from this Wednesday's DIY posts on Design*Sponge, which I've referenced only about a million times before.  I'm sure you've seen it, actually, but I couldn't help spotlighting it because it's got two terrific how-to projects by Marnie of Elk Accesorries.



The crescents sound heavenly.  I love mixed nuts in baked goods, but I wonder if you could sub in peanuts for someone with a nut allergy (like my mom).  If life doesn't take over, I'd like to make these for the round robin dinner my parents are planning after Christmas.

Meanwhile, as the little treats bake, you can make an adorable gift bag that, like the other gift wrap ideas featured so far, are reusable.  Wrap the food in wax paper and voila, you have a perfectly lovely gift!

So, head on over and see the how-to.  It's an easy-looking recipe, and the story of its origin is so sweet.  Enjoy!

holiday DIY of the day #15: two bite pumpkin pies

The WordPress homepage featured this tasty looking recipe by Laurel of Bake Me More and I thought it'd be fun to switch from crafts to kitchen do-it-yourself projects, especially since it's about to be holiday party time.

Doesn't it look delicious?

holiday DIY of the day # 15: ruffly headband

And, once again, we're visiting Heart of Light for a tutorial.
I made this once before, when I was testing out ideas for bridesmaids' gifts, and it was both fun and easy.  I think it'd be an adorable gift or perfect to wear to a holiday party.  Time for the scissors and thread and fabric scraps!

Here's the how-to and a picture of the finished results.

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holiday DIY of the day #14: can't forget the stockings!

I cannot believe I got this far into Christmas projects without Christmas stockings.  C. and I don't have a fireplace, but I do believe we need some stockings in our little place.  We could hang them above the microwave, or below the vents (I mean, heat comes out of those places, right?).  Our parents still have our stockings, and we'll be visiting each for Christmas, but there really should be something here in the meantime...

These stockings are too adorable.  They remind me of my childhood days in Wauwatosa, the days in which I was obsessed with all things Swedish (thank you, American Girl dolls) and even celebrated St. Lucia's Day.  My ever-crafty mom even made me a St. Lucia's Day dress of white cotton, which got passed along to friends and cousins and still exists somewhere, I'm sure.

Now, back to the DIY, here it is!  I found the pattern through Dottie Angel's link to Whipup.  I haven't gotten through much of Jenny's site yet, but I think you'll enjoy the bright colors and jolly nature, even if it is a bit overwhelming for neutral-hue-loving folks like myself.  Everyone needs a bit of brightness in their day, no?

happy haulidays from Chronicle books...

This adorable blog won the happy haulidays giveaway--but I've got a little promo code to share with you.  Use it for free shipping and 35% off your purchase from Chronicle Books by December sixteenth (*hint/nudge to anyone looking for a graduation present for a certain English major*).

Here's the code: HAULIDAYS.  Head over to Chronicle Books to see what delights you could use your discount on!*

*I recognize that I ended a sentence with a preposition, but according to the great Dr. Strait, my Brit Lit professor freshman year who I believe knows everything, it is actually acceptable to do this.  Furthermore, language change is interesting, and grammar is separate from comprehensibility.  Yes, I am this nerdy.

holiday DIY of the day #13: ornaments

These little toadstool mushroom ornaments are too adorable.  I found them via Jade's blog.  She's the founder of Craft Hope, which I posted about here.  The project is from an adorable holiday book put out last year by Lark.  Wouldn't they be fun to make for a Mario fan?

Click on over and enjoy!

{source}

 

holiday DIY of the day #11: sublime stitching

Here's another project via the Modcloth Blog!  It's not entirely holiday related, but it looks so fun, and would be great for making a gift for a friend or sister (I know my little sister is getting something along these lines).  This download is exclusive to ModCloth, and because it's a PDF, I can't attach a picture of the project itself, but here's a peek at some of Jenny Hart's products...

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Fun, no?

holiday DIY of the day #10: unraveling a letter

Paper'n'stitch is a handmade exhibition site curated by Brittani, who also runs a nice blog along with posting beautiful collections of shops.  The Paper'n'stitch blog has a fun bunch of tutorials, all beautifully photographed often easy.

This project would be great for your gift wrap--wouldn't it be sweet to receive a package with ribbon personalized just for you?  If you want to give it a go, click your way to Paper'n'stitch and see how simple it is.

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holiday DIY of the day #9: tinsel wreath

This project couldn't be easier and it's so pretty and shimmery! Abi of Vanilla and Lace is quite clever, I must say. I found her blog via ModCloth and plan to visit regularly. Take a look, then make a wreath if you so desire!
Enjoy!