Craft Gossip

Valentine Sun Catcher

kristenstephens — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:17:50 +0000

We haven’t had too much sun in the last few days where I live, so perhaps making a sun catcher will entice the sun to come out! You can find the simple tutorial over at We Made That.…

‘I Heart FedEx Office’ Giveaway and Canvas Art Review

kristenstephens — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:19:35 +0000

I’m so excited to share with you a part of FedEx Office that I never knew existed. They can print art or pictures on canvas and stretch to a frame! When I received the opportunity to review the FedEx Office Canvas Art Experience, I knew exactly what every mother on the planet wants to do; put pictures of their children …

Tricia’s “Yucky Casket”

Denise Felton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:07:59 +0000

Tricia of Thistle Threads has started a new, fascinating project. She has acquired an antique casket (the type usually covered with embroidered fabric) in bad shape but with much of the original hardware intact. She’ll be deconstructing it carefully to learn how such things were made. And you know there’s bound to be a restoration or reproduction ahead. Go to …

Cola Cross Stitch

conniebarwick — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:43:29 +0000

Another freebie from Un Jour Une Grille, this little cup of cola will be fun to stitch. Add it to a lunch sack or a treat bag for just the right touch of decoration. Get the free chart.…

Bamboo Cross Stitch Chart

conniebarwick — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:39:27 +0000

Bamboo is supposed to be lucky, right? So stitch up a lucky project using this free chart.…

Free pattern and tutorial: Sweetheart Pie

Denise Felton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:06:42 +0000

You knew Mollie of Wild Olive would do something unusual for Valentine’s Day! She’s sharing the pattern and instructions for a Sweetheart Pie softie–a sweet but zero-calorie way to show your affection. Go to her blog post for the pattern and tute.…

How to dress up some old jars and turn them into pretty display storage

stefaniegirard — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:48:17 +0000

Over at Elizabeth’s blog Alyssabeth she shared a post on how she dressed up some plain jars into pretty display containers for her stash of craft supplies.…

Recycled wool sweater Easter basket!

Linda Lanese — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:26:51 +0000

Kris hosts a blog called “Resweater” and created this darling Easter basket that will hold plenty of candy and goodies for Mr. Bunny to fill up. Kris’s blog is filled with wonderful ideas for recycling sweaters. You can follow her on Twitter and on Pinterest and keep up with her latest creations. Go here for the tutorial on her …

Free pattern: Ice cream!

Denise Felton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:05:14 +0000

This sweet felt-applique and embroidery block actually made my tummy growl! Kimara of Wee Folk Art is sharing the free pattern. She says,

We added sprinkles using a straight stitch and 6 strands of floss, but you could easily add glass beads for extra glitter. Or, cover in French knots.

Or matte bugle beads. So many possibilities. Go to her blog post to get the pattern…

DIY Burlap Placecard Inspiration

Kimberly Jones — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:38:11 +0000

Simple and sweet burlap placecards will add rustic charm to your wedding! Check out the instructions for making your own at Emmaline Bride.…

Tutorial: Fabric headwrap you can twist into many shapes

anneweaver — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:22:02 +0000

Blue Eyed Freckle shares a tutorial on her blog showing how to make a headwrap that you can twist and tie and wrap in dozens of ways. A flower rosette? A full bow? A simple twist? You got it. The secret is a coated wire sewn into the wrap so it will keep whatever shape you bend it to. Her …

Tutorial: Crooked Heart Valentine’s votive or vase wrap

anneweaver — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:06:08 +0000

Debra and Nicole from Improv Diary (and authors of the soon-to-be-released Improv Sewing) show how to create their Crooked Heart votive or vase wrap. It’s made from an old t-shirt layered with vellum. Meandering and messy stitching creates a heart design in contrasting thread. Candlelight would be so beautiful shining through the translucent vellum windows! Get the tutorial at …

Free pattern: The Bear’s New Hat

Denise Felton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:04:16 +0000

You know you need to stitch a bear in a hat. Corvus Tristis is sharing the perfect pattern under a Creative Commons license! Go to her blog post to get the high-resolution image.…

Tutorial | Valentine Doily Dream Catcher

Francine Clouden — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:00:27 +0000

Cintia at My Poppet shares this DIY for a Valentine Dream Catcher. Think of all the possibilities! You can swap out the heart doily for a round one, or some scrapbook paper, and change the colour scheme to suit any occasion. Click here to go to the tutorial.…

Tutorial: I Heart You little girl’s short sleeved t-shirt tunic

anneweaver — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:46:14 +0000

Shauna from Shwin & Shwin shares a tutorial on her blog showing how to make a yoked t-shirt tunic that you’re to heart. In fac,t she calls it her I {Heart} You top. She created the design out of a pink & white stripe with appliqued hearts for a Valentine’s shirt for her young daughter, but this style would be cute year …

Tutorial: Add handstitched details to a plain tee

anneweaver — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:35:18 +0000

Katy from Sweet Verbena shows how to add handstitched details to a plain t-shirt. Colorful embroidery floss marks the hem, side seams, and neckline of a discount tee with a simple running stitch. Love it! Get the tute.

[photo from Sweet Verbena]

[via One Pretty Thing]…

Template: Bee Mine appliqued Valentine’s t-shirt

anneweaver — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:25:40 +0000

Traci from May and Mae and Amazing Mae shares a template for making this cute “Bee Mine” Valentine’s shirt. The bee is appliqued, and the word “mine” stenciled underneath. Get the template at Amazing Mae.

[photo from Amazing Mae]…

Sell your art in Florida

Denise Felton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:03:45 +0000

If you’re female, you’re probably going to be as excited as I am about this call for entries:

CALL FOR FUNCTIONAL ART BY WOMEN: The Florida Museum for Women Artists is looking for functional handmade art to be sold in the lower level gift shop. If you create handmade, unique, functional art and would like the opportunity to display
…

Inspiration: Steampunk Paperbag Card

Heather — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:01:19 +0000

This uber cool card made from a paper bag comes from DebNeerman. I love the colors and the use of hard metals and soft flowers, it’s a wonderful combination and a great way to recycle!

-Heather…

Chevron Heart Frame

Amanda Formaro — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:51 +0000

Sew Woodsy has taking the trendy chevron pattern and transferred the idea to a fun picture frame for Valentine’s Day. Get the tutorial here –>> Chevron Heart Frame.…

Tutorial | Birthday Book & Card Holder

Francine Clouden — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:34 +0000

Natalie from An Ounce of Creativity shows how you can create a customised book to keep track of birthday dates, as well as to hold all the birthday cards you want to hang on to. Click here to go to the tutorial.…

Allie gets famouser

Denise Felton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:02:48 +0000

Our beloved Allie Aller (Allie’s in Stitches) is the subject of a Lisa Fulmer interview on the C&T Publishing blog. Why is C&T talking about Allie? Because they’re the publishers of her rockin book, Allie Aller’s Crazy Quilting. See the interview. Or go to the book listing. Or both!…

Tutorial | Stitched Envelopes

Francine Clouden — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:23 +0000

Rena from the cheese thief posted a tutorial on Crafts Unleashed showing how to embellish an envelope with the Sew Easy Loop de Loop Stitch Piercer. This tool is actually meant to be used on scrapbooking projects, and I love how she put a different spin on it. Click here to go to the tutorial.…

GIVEAWAY! Sugarlicious Cookbook and a Supercute Prize Pack

meaghan mountford — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:53:58 +0000

Yes, I put myself on my own book blog tour! Because I wanted to include all of you. Without this fabulous gig and every one of you, dear readers, I might not have delved so deeply past my cookie decorating background into so many other cute and clever treats.

And if you haven’t heard the news, then where have …

SIBOL

jd wolfe — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:36:51 +0000

The blog known as SIBOL has won literally every award to honor a crochet blog – and for good reason! The site is full of eye candy, most of it in the form of squares and afghans. Squares are sent to the organization that joins them into stunning afghans that are auctioned for charity. And, some dandy afghans these are! …

Stitch a needlebook with Susan Elliott

Denise Felton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:31:14 +0000

Our darling Susan Elliott has shared her observance of Hari-kuyo for two years now–the Japanese Festival of Broken Needles in which worn-out friends from the past year are thanked and laid to rest. Along the way, we got to see the needlebook Susan created and uses, which has a special felt page for preserving broken needles until the annual festival. …

Snowboarding Snowman Cookies

meaghan mountford — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:03:49 +0000

Just when I think I can’t possibly be more wowwed by the cookie artistry of Haniela’s, she goes and makes a snowboarding snowman. Find the decorating how-tos HERE at Haniela’s.…

Giveaway on Stumbles & Stitches

Denise Felton — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:01:31 +0000

Stumbles & Stitches is celebrating 1000 Facebook fans with an awesome giveaway. One lucky reader will win the five prizes shown here. Go to their blog post to find and more and enter. Deadline: February 12.…

Tutorial | No-Sew Fabric Flowers

Francine Clouden — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:00:32 +0000

Jamie from Scattered Thoughts of a SAHM shares the steps for making these adorable no-sew flowers. All you need is fabric, glue and buttons! Click here to go to the tutorial.…

Calabrian Love Knots

meaghan mountford — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:42:58 +0000

Sometimes you just have to spell it out for some people. And of course there’s a story behind the love knots. Find it and the recipe HERE at CakeSpy.…

Inspiration du Jour | Polka Dot Love

Francine Clouden — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:00:06 +0000

Polka Dot Love by Elena-lar

{GALLERY} {BLOG}…

STAY VOCAL: ReUse Apparel.

Minnie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:57:23 +0000

This is a really interesting business. Stay Vocal rescues used t-shirts by turning them inside out and printing on them and reselling them. That’s a great idea! The t-shirts that can’t be rescued whole get cut up and hemmed for handkerchiefs.

I’ve been wondering a lot lately about what to do with old clothes that are not really wearable anymore. …

Tutorial: Making Ring Dishes

Elaine — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:44:48 +0000

Leslie wrote up and photographed her process for the little ring bowls she made – the idea is simple but you could embellish in so many ways.…

Kids-Can-Do Candy Heart Pops

meaghan mountford — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:58:40 +0000

And speaking of candy heart pops, yet another one of mine to share (I swear this isn’t turning into only me, I just have an incredible busy and productive month. I promise to slack off in a big way come March. Maybe April.) I made these kid-friendly candy pops for Valentine’s Day–and they really are kid-friendly since my four-year old …

Candy Cane Heart Pops

meaghan mountford — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:52:51 +0000

STILL have leftover candy canes? Make candy heart pops! Learn how HERE at PaperVine. And bonus, check out the cutie kids with their candy pops!…

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

meaghan mountford — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:49:17 +0000

I simply must pull out my crock pot more, especially as today’s dreary cold and drizzly DC weather could use some hot chocolate. Find the most lovely step-by-step photographs to make crock pot hot cocoa HERE at Smashed Peas and Carrots.…

Hello Pinterest

Shellie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:27:15 +0000

As CraftGossip’s head editor and co-founder AND as a Work-At-Home mum, finding time to work on CraftGossip & Craftbits is ~~very hard~~ limited.

So when I find myself spending endless hours reading through our social media networks like Facebook & Twitter I have to justify my ~~addiction~~ time.

So I am inviting all our readers to come along and follow me …

Prayer flag for Vivika

Scarlett — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:05:57 +0000

Vivika Hansen DeNegre is the new editor of Quilting Arts Magazine. Her friends over at The Prayer Flag Project made this flag to congratulate her on her new adventure. Pieced with stitching, So Happy For You!. Go HERE to read full post.

Image credit: The Prayer Flag Project…

Tutorial: A-line knit skirt with a yoga waistband

anneweaver — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:48:54 +0000

Lisa from Crafty Mamas shares a tutorial on her blog showing how to make an A-line knit skirt with a yoga waistband. This may be my favorite style of skirt! Not only is it easy to make, it’s super comfy to wear. Get the tutorial.

[photo from Crafty Mamas]…

Tutorial: Conversation heart throw pillows

anneweaver — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:26:50 +0000

Jessi from Sweetie Pie Bakery shares a tutorial at Blue Cricket Designs showing how to make sweet conversation hearts throw pillows. They’re made from soft fleece, with Valentine messages appliqued on the front. Get the tutorial.

[photo from Sweetie Pie Bakery at Blue Cricket Designs]…

Tutorial: Midi Skort playskirt for little girls

anneweaver — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:15:12 +0000

Disney from Ruffles and Stuff guest blogs at Project Run and Play with a tutorial showing how to make her Midi Skort, a mid-length skirt and short combo for little girls. Because the shorts are sewn into the skirt, it’s a great choice for playwear. It’s quick to make when you use ruffled fabric and a pair of bike shorts. Get …

DIY: Have a Heart Bath Fizzies

valeriesilverthorne — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:56:03 +0000

You can’t get enough hearts this time of year so why not just go for it? Bath fizzies, though sometimes a bit temperamental, are popular with bathers everywhere, and although this tutorial doesn’t use any colorant, you could of course go crazy and make, say, green fizzy hearts for the big day. Get the tutorial here from Riverlea Soap.…

Project: Valentine Window Card

Heather — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:58:06 +0000

Pop on over to the Hero Arts website where Shari Carroll has a video and step by step instructions for making this lovely window card.

And while you’re there you might also want to check out the three brand new catalogs from Hero Arts, Spring, Basic Grey and Studio Calico.

-Heather…

Spock hat with felted ears (free knitting pattern)

Linda Lanese — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:32:46 +0000

Gladys just knit a “Spock” hat for her friend’s daughter, and she felted the ears which she thought was the best way to go to get it looking as realistic as possible. Then she decided to share her cute creative pattern so that others could make it too. What a fun hat and I am sure the friend will love …

Crushed Conversation Heart Cookie Pops

meaghan mountford — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:02:14 +0000

Maybe just a little contrary to Valentine’s Day (smashing conversation hearts), but really, that wasn’t my intent (I left one in tact, see?). I made these crushed conversation heart chocolate cookie pops for a guest post over at The TomKat Studio today. Find all the how-tos HERE.…

Winner of the Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine & 3 sets of Spellbinders Edgeabilities® Giveaway:

Linda Lanese — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:00:10 +0000

Golda, lucky #75 picked by Random.com is the winner of this amazing giveaway from Spellbinders. You all left such wonderful comments and I wish you all could be winners. I want to thank Spellbinders for allowing me to host this giveaway. I also want to thank Kim for her review. I will be emailing Golda for her full name and …

Fabric: Folklorico Chuchulucos

Scarlett — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:27:32 +0000

Some new fabric out. This is Folklorico Chuchulucos – White (first photo) and Folklorico Chuchulucos – Black by Alexander Henry.

Image credit: Fabric.com…

Monster Valentine’s Cupcakes

meaghan mountford — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:49:31 +0000

Everything about these is just so right. The candy suggesting smiles, the fuzzy cuteness, the big sparkly heart eyes. Love ‘em. Find the how-tos HERE at Buttercream Blondie.…

Beef Jerky Underwear

meaghan mountford — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:44 +0000

Also known as “Brief Jerky.” Wonder if these would work with fruit roll-ups for vegetarians? Would probably be too sticky. Find the how-tos HERE at Instructables, by user Carleyy. Spotted on Foodiggity.…

Dipped Strawberries in a Chocolate Box

meaghan mountford — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:57:52 +0000

Chocolate-dipped strawberries with cute heart sprinkles served in a totally edible chocolate box? I have a chocolate-dipped strawberry obsessed friend born on Valentine’s Day who would go bonkers for these. Hmmm… wonder if they are shippable. Learn to make this luxurious treat HERE at the Dollhouse Bake Shoppe blog.…