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…  I’ve got a stack of flannelette receiving blankets all ready to go – and I even tackled a simple crocheted baby blanket.  I knew that  I wanted to make a soft and cuddly blanket, something that can be washed, dragged on the ground and lovely for many years.

After a few false starts and plenty of frogging, I’ve ended up with something that will hopefully last for years.

So how do you commemorate those occasions?  Do you think about the joy and feeling of love that someone can feel when they’re all wrapped up and cozy in a blanket?

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Fiber As a Blessing

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 April 1st, 2010.  The grand prize winner will receive $500 and each category winner will get a gift pack worth $200 from the contest sponsors.

Winning entries will be exhibited at the The National Needle Arts Association trade show next June, as well as appearing in the July/August issue of Pieceworks.

image: Pieceworks Magazine

Post from: Blisstree

Call for Submissions – Needle Arts Awards

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 the wonderfully innovative book- A Charming Exchange.

The Artful Crafter
Eileen shows you how to make a multi-strand fiber bracelet.

The Crochet Dude
Drew reviews the new Simplicty Rotary Cutting Maching – offers up a free crocheted project using fabric strips – and he’s giving away a Rotary Cutting Machine to one lucky commenter!

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shows you how to make a quick and easy Altered Chinese Paper Lantern in her first post on Kid/Teen Crafts for Duncan I Love to Create!

About Family Crafts
I need your help! Be the first to submit a photo of this completed craft and be featured on the Family Crafts site!

Aileen’s Musings
Your help is needed…Please take a moment to help make a difference We have a chance to get our ovarian cancer charity project on the cover of a northern CA magazine. Your vote is needed! The project benefits the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Deadline for voting is July 23rd so hurry and cast your vote!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Alexa shares the mentall process behind creating a post on her swell craft blog

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside’s got a how-to’s on bleaching photos and juxtaposing images, a mixed-media journal out of a wide variety of recycled materials and a video with Scatha G. Allison where she shows the incredible designs from her book Jean Therapy. Be sure to answer the day’s questions to be entered to win a free book!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Have you thought about taking your craft hobby to a different level? Tammy has some thoughts to consider before crossing over the hobby/professional line.

CraftyPod
SisterDiane is thrilled to unveil her new ebook, Weaving Un-Loomed: Simple Ways to Weave Cool Things.

Post from: Blisstree

Artsy blogging round-up!

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.

Post from: Blisstree

Artsy blogging round-up!

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!

Post from: Blisstree

Artsy blogging round-up!

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

Post from: Blisstree

Call for entries: Hats

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.

Post from: Blisstree

Artsy blogging round-up!

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!

Post from: Blisstree

Book review: Fabricate

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

Post from: Blisstree

Call for entries: 1000 Fabulous Knit Hats

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

Post from: Blisstree

Call for entries: Knitting by Lark Books