Noreen recently wrote a lovely post on how we commemorate special occasions in our lives by creating special items for them.
How many big events are marked by giving family and friends quilts, blankets – even new clothes?  Kids get new clothes for the first day of school, we give house warming gifts of blankets, sheets and towels.  When I got married, I was given everything from a hand crocheted blanket, a queen size quilt to tea towels.  When someone has a baby they’re usually given basic receiving blankets and decorative baby quilts.

I’m certainly in the thick of those preparations myself…  …read more

Pieceworks Magazine hosts an annual awards to celebrate the needle arts, including knitting or crochet, needlework (embroidery, cross-stitch, bead embroidery, needlepoint), lace making/tatting, or quilting.
Every year, they choose a new theme (you can see last year’s theme of brooches here).  This year’s theme is “Heart Ornaments”.

They want you to submit the best heart ornament you can for the 2010 Excellence in Needle Arts Awards.  The official call hasn’t been published yet, but all the details will be available on October 16th.
The ornaments must be no larger than 4″ in size and must be submitted before the final entry date of …read more

Cross Stitch at About.com
Have fun trying out these new free Candlewicking patterns Connie’s sharing. If you use one, send in a photo to show it off!

Mixed Media Artist
Using two very different book pages, you can create a found poem for an altered book…or just because!
Naughty Secretary Club
Jen shares clever and crafty uses for suitcases that have nothing to do with holding clothing. Side tables, laptop cases and portable craft studios oh my!
Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Drink Mermaids take the plunge into some silver paint and get transformed into some swimmingly fun necklaces inspired by …read more

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world:
At Craftside there is a bling-tastic video on hand lettering with Lisa Engelbrecht, from the new book The Crafter’s Devotional a how to make a leather book cover and flag cuffs made from a book cover, an “actual size” silver heart using PMC, and a fun snack recipe.
Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy shows off her cool new sewing cabinet that was surprisingly inexpensive.
Cross Stitch at About.com
Why no knots in Counted Cross Stitch? Find out why and how to secure your floss in alternate ways.
Mixed Media Artist
A report on …read more

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery:
See how to make a card and card album themed for a rock and roll mom to be that uses cute die cuts in a cool way.

The Artful Crafter
“Panadieres for Zambia” is a neat story and one small example of crafters helping crafters – all around the world. As Eileen likes to say, “Crafters are just the nicest people.”
The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares a technique in this post about embossing on slick surfaces!
About Family Crafts
What are your cleaning tips for crafting with kids? Please take a moment to share your …read more

Big hats, little hats, fancy hats, plain hats (this is starting to remind me of a Dr Suess story…), all hats are welcome as entries in the juried exhibition sponsored by TLD Design Center and Gallery.  Hats 2009 is open to all artists and designers doing original work. Only hats of your own design and individual effort are eligible. All entries must be wearable.
High quality photos or slides which are tightly focused must be submitted by July15, 2009 with a non-refundable entry fee of $3.00 per hat entry. Up to 5 entries per person.
All information on submission
Tammy L Deck, …read more

About Family Crafts:
Have you played along with my Make-It-Over Craft Challenge yet? What would you make out of this ordinary object?

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen is very excited to announce that the Ties That Bind Art Doll Raffle has begun! Its an amazing project, with contributions by over 100 artists. Stop by to find out how you can purchase raffle tickets to win this amazing art doll, and help us reach our goal!
Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Swelldesigner shares all week on her blog tales from SF Bay Maker Faire 2009 starting off with her Bizarre Bazaar experience!
Cathie …read more

Interweave Press has a brand new fabric art book out this spring that I think will really make mixed media artists sit up and take notice.  Whether you are new to fabric arts or are an experienced sewer, you will find ideas for transforming retail fabrics or for revamping materials you already own with techniques that are easy to do and easy on the wallet!
Fabricate
by Susan Wasinger
Fabricate shows how to create unique effects by using both classic and modern techniques: pleats, crinkles, cut and fray, laminates, layers, applique, crazy stitch, burn out, etching, and more. My goodness!
Check out The …read more

1000 Fabulous Knit Hats
Editor: Annie Modesitt
Quarry Books
Deadline for submission: July 1, 2009
Quarry is looking for submissions of images for possible publication in 1000 Fabulous Knit Hats, a definitive and inspirational collection of hand knit hats presented by Annie Modesitt.
There are cash prizes for original designs!
Publication date: July 2010
More information and submission forms

Image: Quarry Books

Knitting Capelets, Cowls & Collars
Editor: Nathalie Mornu
Entry deadline: June 12, 2009
Lark Books seeks project proposals for a book titled Knitting Capelets, Cowls & Collars.
Lark is looking for 25 fresh and flirty original designs of knitted capelets, cowls, and collars for an upcoming book geared toward the beginner/intermediate knitter. The tone of this 96-page paperback book will be sophisticated, but with an urban, romantic edge, highlighting the range of possibilities in these clever cover-ups.  They are especially interested in featuring projects with dynamic color combinations, luscious yarn choices, and surprising details.
More Info and Proposal Form here.

Image: Lark Books