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 using the new CopprClay. This stuff rocks!

Naughty Secretary Club
Thinking about starting up your own craft business? Jen has a few suggestions of things you might consider first. Plus learn how you can take a Crafty Business Seminar with Jen from anywhere in the world!

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Old plastic bead necklaces go under the knife (and in the toaster oven) to make Melted Plastic bead Star Earrings perfect for the patriotic holidays

The Artful Crafter
Eileen suggests you go shopping for craft supplies in your jewelry box and closet. Make an old accessory into something new and fresh.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares the clip from her recent appearance on Lifetime TV’s The Balancing Act for Beadalon.

About Family Crafts
If you are looking for a creative way to celebrate every day during the month of July, check out this special events calendar!

Aileen’s Musings
Ever wonder how to get that cute copyright symbol or better yet, how to put one on your artwork or photographs? Aileen offers a easy tutorial using PSP.

Cathie Filian
It is summer and that means beach & pool time! Visit Cathie Filian’s blog to learn how to stotch up a terry beach throw.

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 tips and then browse through tips shared by others.

Aileen’s Musings
Hard as it was, Aileen has narrowed down the playing field and needs your help again to choose from her favorite sayings that have been posted for her blog giveway! Stop by and pick your favorite.

Cathie Filian
If you are wondering what to eat, craft and play on the 4th of July then head over to Cathie’s blog for ideas.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside you can watch the latest Look, Learn & Create video that includes tips on drawing, two techniques and projects for cutting photos up, a bit of fabric eye candy, and a free paper stencil and project from the new book The Art of Decorative Paper Stencils 2 and if you leave answers to the day’s questions you are entered to win free books!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy uses her jewelry making skills to create some beautiful and functional stitch markers.

CraftyPod
Sister Diane reviews an intriguing new book: Micro Macrame, by Annika DeGroot

Cross Stitch at About.com
Work at Your Own Pace - An encounter with a critter in the yard has Connie thinking about Cross Stitch (imagine that!) and speed.

Naughty Secretary Club
Arty Masterpieces are overrated, it’s all about the Glittery Crafterpieces! Take a peek at the handmade art around my house and try your hand at making a fun glittery deer picture!

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, gallery owner

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 Filian
You still have time to whip up a handmade gift for your Pop, Grandpa or Hubby and Cathie Filian has over 12 ideas!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside wins Editor’s Choice at Maker Faire-see lots of pictures from the fabulous event, the latest episode of Look, Learn & Create has a tutorial on how to make needle felted flowers from recycled wool sweaters, some excellent exercises to relieve back stress (what crafter couldn’t use those), a free knitted leaf pattern and some cool quilt dish!

Crafty Princess Diaries
What are your thoughts on retail and the off-line world today when it comes to craft stores and just in general?

CraftyPod
Sister Diane muses on how we crafters can help keep our favorite websites, magazines, and TV shows alive in a tough economy.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Check out Connie’s Photo of the Week - it’s one of her recent finishes and in her favorite medium - variegated floss.

Naughty Secretary Club
It’s terrarium week over at Naughty Secretary Club and Jen is celebrating with a kitschy terrarium style picture frame tutorial! Grab your mini garden gnomes and glitter and stop on by!

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Recycled Sweater Necklace brought to you by the new book-Feltique and the letter “O”

The Artful Crafter
How to make a wall hanger for a heavy plate or tile.

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 Bookshop for lots more links to books about mixed media art in addition to this fine guide!

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

Quarry Books: 1000 Artisan Textiles
Editors: Sandra Salamony & Gina Brown
Deadline: June 1, 2009

Submission information

We are looking for the finest artisan-made examples of:
• quilts
• wall hangings
• linens
• rugs
• baskets
• wearable art
• home accessories
• fashion accessories

incorporating any number of techniques including:
• felting
• hand and machine embroidery
• appliqué
• dyeing and fabric painting
• weaving
• beading
• and all types of surface decoration

Artwork should be no larger than 30 inches on any side. Artwork must be able to hang on the wall, and come “ready to hang”, with any required hanging system intact.

Deadline: 05/30/09

All information on entering

My Heart

While I’m on a fabric dyeing kick, I thought it would be fun to share this great video on using foods and spices to dye fabric.

I once dyed some raw mohair (from my own goats) using onions.  It produces the most gorgeous deep golden yellow!  Unfortunately, it smells incredible…

And not incredible in a good way!

I’m not sure if it was just the combination of goat and onion, but I’d highly recommend dyeing outside, or in a well-ventilated area.  I just don’t think my family appreciated the odor…

The fiber was amazing to work with though!