photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

A Creative Dream
Toys for strangers to love…
handmade toys

Arts & Crafts Examiner
Do you need a gift idea for the favorite crafty person on your list? Here are a few fun ideas for your holiday shopping.
Cool-crafty-gifts-for-Christmas–for-adults

Gadabout Media DIY
Win your own set of 13 great rubber stamps and ink pads from Ford Cares & Martha Stewart Omnimedia!
contest-alert-win-a-warriors-in-pink-stamp-set/

Hankering for yarn
I’ve been making fun Christmas ornaments. Here’s the link for a tutorial on how to make a tiny ‘Bog Coat’ from origami tree. Perhaps Santa’s Elves would appreciate a new coat or two?
christmas-ornaments-mini-paper-bog-coat/

Mixed Media Artist
Mixed media artist Nicolette Anderson shares her lovely work!
mixed-media-artist-nicolette-anderson

The Artful Crafter
Make some romantic mood light candles with decorative tissue paper and decoupage medium.
make-decoupage-candle-holders-to-set.

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

Cyndi always has great tutorials to inspire you. Check out this week’s: She shows how to make absolutely gorgeous monoprint papers.

I just loved Chloe’s tutorial on making woven heart bags, so I couldn’t resist including it in today’s roundup:

A New Creative Journal
Heather Goldsmith is starting a new blog about journal writing.

How to Make Window Envelope Cards
Which do you prefer – the stamped or digital version?

Recycling and upcycling for threadies
My  husband bought me a bag of mystery threads which I recycled and upcycled in a neat way.

Some spool knitters with special connections
A jewlery maker contacted me with a special request. This lead to a whole lot of fun….

Trails End Quilters’ Quilts
Mary Emma, at the Trails End Quilters, ponders over the origin of a wedding quilt and urges you to write down the history of your quilts.

Image by Noreen Crone-Findlay (copyright)

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

The work of Kathleen Holmes is  haunting and evocative and powerful…..

You really have to go see her site: Kathleen Holmes

She has graciously allowed me to post a copy of one of her pics (it’s copyright to her, and is used with permission) and has sent me this lovely statement about her work:

 

Artist’s Statement

And the end of all our exploring

  Will be to arrive where we started

        And know the place for the first time.

      -T.S. Eliot

I was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1953, and come from a long line of crocheters, a tradition in my family going back as far as family legends recall. I therefore incorporate found and self-made pieces of crochet into my work as metaphors for the particular patterns of my native Southern culture.  Just as a single thread returns again and again to loop and interlock in crochet, the creative legacy of so many women repeatedly endows my artistic heritage and creates a conceptual “whole cloth,” the “fabric” of their lives “clothing” my vision.  

I combine these pieces of traditional handwork with indigenous domestic materials – ceramic, metal, glass – to create evocative domestic icons, subtly powerful and often innocently ironic.  Familiar domestic objects accessorize in unlikely ways, illuminating overlooked intimacies of domestic life. Rusted, pierced, and shaped metal refers to man-made aspects of society and provides the visual and conceptual counterpoint to the woman-made textiles, creating a metaphorical duality. 

The iconic “dress” form represents all sacred garments, from christening and wedding gowns, to judge’s and cleric’s robes, to bedclothes and death shrouds.  Finally, the archetypal dress is my homage to the countless generations of women and girls who, by perpetuating a traditional domestic craft, have endowed my contemporary  art.

Like the canvas I paint on, the crochet panels I use in my paintings are made from cotton, and therefore are an expansion of the surface medium.  I use these patterned and textured panels to represent the architecture and geometry of Nature; like how a tree grows, the movement of water currents, not to mention life cycles.  The crochet is a metaphor for interconnections; intimate relationships – those within Nature, and also ours to that Nature.

 

Kathleen Holmes

 

Image source: Kathleen Holmes copyright

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

This just arrived in my mailbox from Jennifer Marsh (remember her? She’s the one who got people working together to cover derelict gas stations):

• Hello All,

  Jennifer is very pleased to announce the next project at hand for the 2008-2009 year for the International Fiber Collective.  The title of this sculpture is called Interdependence. We will create a full sized tree that will be on display in April 09′ at Big Springs International Park in Huntsville, AL.
  Much like a live tree is interdependent on it’s leaves/roots for survival, like minded societies are interdependent on the greater whole, family units, communities, countries.

  The collective is calling for participants around the world to create leaves to contribute to the creation of the tree. In total I am looking for 30,000 leaves.

  Your leaf can be fiber/fiber technique related. Example: you can think about the ecologically interdependence of societies and then think about recycling and reusing of materials. (Plastics, Old Fabric, etc.) You can be as creative as you will for what materials and techniches you use, you can paint, stitch, crochet, patch, quilt, knit, glue (water resistant glue), just keep a fiber twist to it in some way.

  Each Leaf should measure roughly 2 1/2″ wide (at it’s thickest point) x 4 1/2″ from end to end. You do have the option to give it shape and dimension.

  You’re welcome to consider interdependence in a social, economical, political, ecological, or geographical way.

  The tree’s trunk and branches will all be wrapped with handmade fiber sleeves.

  Leaves are due by March 15, 2009.

  Please check out website for updates concerning mailing instructions. The website will be update with details on the new project with in the following weeks.

  http://www.internationalfibercollaborative.com/

  Visit Fiber Arts/Mixed Media at: http://www.fibermixedmedia.com

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

Cool Journal Tool
Try this fun tool to create art for your journal, or just to play

Cotton Monsters! The Work of Jennifer Strunge
See some of Strunge’s amazing and fun soft sculptures made from recycled clothing and linens.

Eco crafts- Credit card bobbins
How to recycle old credit cards into bobbins for embroidery floss, crochet cotton or, threads or yarn.

Homecoming Mum Season Alert
If you live in Texas, Oklahoma and other parts of the South and are in junior high or high school (or know anyone who is , it’s time to get started on your homecoming mums. Go team!

Layers Upon Layers
June Campbell, one of the most generous mixed media artists I know, has written a profile for Layers Upon Layers. Come meet this extraordinary woman!

Walking Through the Time Warp of Your Quilting World
Mary Emma, at Quilting and Patchwork, explores the timelessness of quilts and how they bring generations together.

Make your needlework patterns go further
Did you know that lots of cross-stitch and needlepoint patterns are interchangable?

Image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay (copyright)

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

A Reader Shares Her Sewing/Quilting Room Organization
Patti, visiting Quilting and Patchwork, shares videos showing frugal organization of her sewing area.

    Collage Workshops
Some links to collage workshops.

    Fabric covered notebooks
Chloe is using fabric to cover notebooks – they’re great for gifts or just as a treat for yourself.

    Fingerprint Mini-Mosaic with Scrabble Tiles
A tutorial from guest poster, TheScrabbleGal

    Instructions for a Tatted cord
Last week, I made a tatting shuttle and this week I’ve tatted the cord for a necklace (also made from a tatting shuttle that I carved)

    Layers Upon Layers
When your summer sandals have seen better days, paint them!


  Print Your Own Wedding Invitations
Did you know you can print fancy professional looking invitations using quality card stock and any word processing program? Eileen tells you how.

Image Source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright 

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

Christmas in July?
Chloe has issued a challenge to start your Christmas or holiday crafting now!

  Favourite Art Supplies
Sharing some of my favourite art supplies to use in my journal. So, what are your favourites?

  Frugal or “Green” Quilting Tips
In these days of saving money and being environmentally friendly, quilters have some tips to contribute.

  How to Make Mint Matchbook Party Favors
Have you seen these cute little matchbooks as wedding or party favors? Each matchbook contains an after dinner mint and is inscribed with the occasion, date and/or some significant saying.


Layers Upon Layers
Cyndi’s readers are sending in pictures of the best thing they’ve made so far this summer! Wanna join in?


Making and breaking and making again- A tatting shuttle becomes a necklace
Last week, I carved 2 tatting shuttles from some recycled wood. I broke one of the tatting shuttles and recycled it into a very spiffy necklace. And now, I’m debating about the cord for the necklace. Opinions are welcome!

    Win Scanalog: A Great Way to Organize Magazine Articles
Store directions, recipes and more for later use, then recycle your magazines.

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

“A Blast from the Past” Includes Pioneer & Patriotic Quilt Designs
Mary Emma Allen at Quilting and Patchwork names a number of patriotic and pioneer quilt designs and quizzes you on them.


Barbara Brabec and Me: Helping Crafters to Be
If you want to craft for profit, you should know about Barbara Brabec and Eileen, whose motto is “The Artful Crafter – Helping Crafters to Be”.


Crocheted Friendship Finger Puppets
Finger puppets are great gifts, and they are wonderful for summer travels. Crochet up a handful or two of these charming little finger puppets for your young friends!

    Layers Upon Layers
The beauty of a small Italian town took up all of Cyndi’s energy during her travels!

  Men’s Homemade Birthday Gift Idea
Make a collage for your favorite sports fan.


Mister Skunk’s Magnificent Creations
Skunk creates toy art from used bicycle parts and trash. On exhibit in Boston until July 18.


One Piece of Paper
Pop-up inspiration for your visual journal.

  Sewing shirts? Try this easy way of marking buttons
Here’s another tip from Chloe to help you finish off your shirts easily.
Image Source: Noreen Crone-Findlay 

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

A butterfly T shirt with reverse applique, recycled weaving and spool knitting
Here’s a great way to reclaim scraps of weaving to embellish garments and accessories

    Creations from Organic Artist Paul Schick
Paul transforms twigs and more. You’ll love the earthy feel of his work.


Layers Upon Layers
Be ready to ooooo and aaaaah over Bonnie Meltzer’s mixed media pieces!

Shortcuts for sewing shirts
Chloe from Tangled Thread shares one of her quick & easy shortcuts to save you time when you’re sewing shirts.


Turn Off the (Mod Podge) Bubble Machine!
If you’ve been plagued by bubbling and wrinkling in your decoupage projects, you need to read Eileen’s solutions.
What is the Value of Your Quilt?
Mary Emma Allen at Quilting and Patchwork will start you thinking about the value of your quilt(s).

IMage Source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright 

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

It’s Friday, and the 13th at that! It’s a good day to check in with the crafty bloggers and see what they’ve been up to this week!

Decoupage Beach Memory Box
Put your beachcombing mementos in full view all year round by arranging them on a pretty decoupage box.


Experience Time Travel with a Quilt
Now that your children are home from school, experience some “time travel” quilt related adventures with them.


Father’s Day craft ideas
Make a special hand-printed t-shirt for your Dad this Father’s Day

  Spool knit a magical little ‘Fairy Window’ for making wishes
Here’s a tutorial for an enchanting little ‘Fairy window’ to hang in your window, or in a tree, or…..

    Yard Art from Scrap Metal
One reader shares some wonderful junk creations.

Image Source: Noreen Crone-Findlay 

Post from: Hankering for Yarn