• Help for left handed crafters
  Are you a lefty who has problems with embroidery patterns? Check out this tutorial of basic embroidery stitches – made specifically for left handed embroiderers.
• How to Rescue Family Heritage Photos
  Eileen just completed a photo restoration class and made an exciting discovery in the process.
• Layers Upon Layers
  All this month, Cyndi will be featuring book artists and book making projects!
• Providing Bird Nesting Materials
  The best materials to provide, plus a creative way to house them.
• 10 Reasons to Photograph Your Quilts
  Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork lists ten reasons for preserving your quilts with photographs…this can apply to other crafts, too.
• Doll Festival for Girl’s Day
  March 3 was Girl’s Day in Japan. It’s time for little girls to be celebrated and wished good health, and all good things. Traditionally a gorgeous display of heirloom dolls is arranged for the Doll Festival that accompanies Girls Day. Noreen has her own way of celebrating Doll Festival….

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Okay, even though I’m a lefty, I can’t use left handed scissors, and I’ve never actually had problems with my sewing machine, but there are lots of lefties who have real problems learning embroidery stitches.

The stitches slant the wrong way or the needle placement can feel awkward.  Luckily, there are smart, creative left handed stitchers out there – like Jenny from Sublime Stitching!  She has created an in-depth how-to guide to left handed embroidery.  As a bonus, she’s even created a left handed French knot tutorial.

I speak for my fellow lefties, as we say “thank you” to Jenny

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Post from: Blisstree

Embroidery for Lefties

• A Collage a Day: Monday
  Find a week’s worth of collage prompts for your journal.
• Annual Woven Narrow Scarf Challenge
  Meg is hosting her annual woven narrow scarf challenge- hmmm….
• Layers Upon Layers
  Making monoprint background papers is an addictive activity…
• Pin or Bias Tape Weaving Patterns
  Have you ever tried bias tape or pin weaving? Here are some links to patterns for some lovely woven projects – no loom required!
• Round Robin Time Again for the Fiber Divas
  Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork mentions an idea for a Round Robin in your quilting group.
• Sew your own tutus
  Delight a little girl in your life with her very own handmade tutu!

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Artsy bloggers link round-up

It’s one of those pricey shell lamps, right?

Wrong!

It’s actually laminated rice paper, cut out and sewn using a standard sewing machine!

Is that cool or what?

You can read the full instructions on Craftynest online here.

image: Craftynest

Post from: Blisstree

Sew your own lampshades

Is there a special little girl in your life who would love to wear a tutu?

Hey, why not even make one for yourself!

Lynne Bruning has written a fantastic how-to for Instructables on how to make your own fantasy tutu.  The tutorial allows you to get as fancy and as detailed with different fabrics, contrast fabrics and trims as you’d like.  Of course, if you want to make a simple, classic tutu, you can as well!

There are lots of photo of finished tutus as well – great for inspiration for your next sewing project!

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Post from: Blisstree

How to sew your own tutu

• 10 reasons why sewing is good for the economy
  Is the economy getting you down? Check out Chloe’s fun list of the top 10 reasons why sewing is good for you and the economy!
• A Kiss is Still a Kiss…
  Visual prompt about kissing.
• How to Protect Your Work from Copyright Infringement
  If your artwork appears on the Internet, you need to now how to protect it from theft.
• Layers Upon Layers
  Layers Upon Layers continues to explore lot of different snow-themed art works.
• Remade Roses That Last Forever
  Explore some eco-friendly alternatives to live roses.
• Story People Dolls
  Tottie Tomato was walking past the Story Door, when she heard all kinds of noises. She opened the Story Door and out tumbled the Story People Dolls…
• When There Are Aspects You Can’t Control in Your Quilting Business
  Mary Emma, at Quilting and Patchwork, discusses what happens when there are factors you can’t control in your quilting (or any small) business, particularly appropriate for today’s world.

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Artsy bloggers link round-up

b5media’s wedding blog, Our One Heart is giving away a fantastic romantic getaway package worth $350 from Avalon Hotel & Spa!

Want to know what you could win?

“Perfectly placed at the edge of the new South Waterfront District on Portland, Oregon’s serene Willamette River, this luxury boutique hotel and spa basks in the glow of the city’s lights just minutes from downtown Portland. The Avalon wraps guests in the contemporary sophistication and warm hospitality of the Pacific Northwest.

Luxurious guest room appointments, complimentary wireless Internet access, complimentary continental breakfast served on each hotel floor (The Avalon Hotel Breakfast Club!), exclusive Spa Chakra Spa + full-service Fitness Center, acclaimed Aquariva Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar, and unparalleled view location; The Avalon Hotel & Spa is the ideal escape from it all … with everything close at hand.

Winner of the Mobil Travel Guide 2005 “America’s Best Hotel & Resort Spas” Award, The Avalon Hotel & Spa is a perfect choice for romantic weekend escapes, group retreats and picture-perfect riverside weddings and special occasions.”

What you can win:

The lucky winner will receive a Romance by the River package for Two (2) that includes the following:

• One (1) night accommodation
• A bottle of Champagne
• A box of chocolates
• Overnight parking
• Dinner for two at Aquariva

To enter the contest, click on this link and follow the instructions.  Good luck!

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Post from: Blisstree

Do you need a romantic vacation?

• Angels can be tiny
  Noreen has designed some tiny spool knitted angels that are easy and charming.
• Layers Upon Layers
  Cyndi explores making small quilts from rusted fabric.
• Painted Valentine Hearts Champagne Flutes
  Make two of these romantic Valentine flutes for a special couple. Add a bottle of bubbly for a complete gift!
• Photo Phun!
  Some photos to use for your journals any way you choose.
• Should We Brand or Not Brand Our Quilting?
  Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork discusses the latest buzz word in business…branding.
• What to Do With Used Disposable Pens
  Don’t send your old pens to the landfill. The Pen Guy wants them for his art cars and pentings!
• What to do when your sewing machine says “no!”
  Is your sewing machine acting up? Here are a few basic trouble-shooting tips to that can get you back sewing.

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Artsy bloggers link round-up

b5media’s Lifestyle channel bloggers are a crafty – and romantic bunch!  Check out some of these great ideas for Valentine’s Day crafts for the whole family!

• Junk Creation has 10 different ideas for Valentine’s Day crafts and activities.
• Junk Creation also has an awesome tutorial for make-your-own candy message hearts!
• Layers Upon Layers has pretty mixed-media art ideas to give as gifts for your special someone.
• These heart-themed pieces of jewelry are sure to make some smile on Valentine’s Day from Jewelry & Beading.
• Tree Hugging Family has some great eco-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas for your kids.
• Tree Hugging Family also has some fun recipes, activities and crafts for the whole family.
• Want to make your own Valentine’s Day cards this year?  Play Library has found a bunch of free printables online.
• And don’t forget that I’ve got free Valentine’s Day crafts for kids, as well as free patterns for cross-stitch, hand-sewn and machine sewn Valentine’s crafts.

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Valentine’s Day ideas from the Lifestyle channel

• Free Valentine’s Day crafts for your kids
  Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your whole family and have fun with these easy free craft patterns.
• Layers Upon Layers
  Cyndi is looking at snow-themed art this month. Got any you want to share?
• Monogrammed Mug Filled with Charm – and Goodies
  This sweet candy-filled and monogrammed mug is perfect for Valentine’s or any other gift occasion. If you’ve never painted on ceramic, here’s the easy how-to.
• Upcycled Flatware Jewelry
  Junk Creation is highlighting some flatware turned unique jewelry from Tempest in a Teapot..
• What do yarnies want from indie designers?
  Noreen was the guest on the blogradio show, ‘Getting Loopy’, the other evening. She asked the listeners a few questions. The host of the show, Mary Beth Temple really liked that and has made a quick survey up to give feedback to designers. She’s also offering a cone of Lion Brand’s new superfine Wool Stainless Steel yarn as a prize.

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Artsy bloggers link round-up