Posts Tagged ‘crafts’

Book Review – ‘How to Make Books’ by Esther K Smith

// November 26th, 2012 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Blog, Book Reviews, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft

For anyone wanting to give making handmade books a go, I really recommend ‘How to Make Books’ by Esther K. Smith.

How to Make Books by Esther K Smith

For someone like me who loves paper crafts, handmade books can be a great way to show off your skills, or keep all your paper treasures in one place. They also make lovely gifts and keepsakes.

I discovered ‘How to Make Books’ whilst at university and have used many of the projects inside. I now regularly revisit this book when looking for inspiration for gifts for family and friends, or on a rainy day.

This book guides you from the very basic instant book for a beginner, up to much more complex projects making some rather exquisite handmade books. It teaches various binding and folding techniques, along with inspiration for how each book may be decorated or used.  The instructions are extremely easy to follow, with step by step illustrations and lovely images of the author’s own examples.

Here’s my own example of the Accordion Postcard Album (found on page 42) that I created as a final outcome for my final major project, whilst studying BA Graphic Design. I made these three books as a series to store and record postcard size images of altered books I had made as part of the same project, (my tutors loved them!)

My own postcard books.

Personally, I think this book is a brilliant investment for anyone wanting to try their hand at making books. Find it online, along with some other fun and inspiring books by the same author. (I also follow Esther K Smith on her Facebook page, she posts some really lovely, crafty things!)

FRESH DESIGNS – MEN** BOOK REVIEW**

// November 3rd, 2012 // Comments Off // Blog, Book Reviews, Knitting

I am a knitter. I started out knitting because I found it meditating as well as a source of instant gratification. Plus, I love making different things for people and knitting provided a great outlet for that. But, when it comes to men, how many scarves can you make? I want something I can make that he can wear again and again and feel stylish in, unlike the usual things men tend to get as gifts from their great grandmother.

As I read through Fresh Designs Men, I dog-eared almost every page. I was so excited because I knew instantly that I was going to start to make my husband the Brian Cardigan with the zipper. This is the perfect gift idea as my husband likes the easy on and off, especially because he gets warm easily. I am also planning on making the Baume Socks because my husband loves socks and wears them constantly in the house.

The book, Fresh Designs Men, and the included patterns are detailed, really guiding you through each step and showing you the colorways and ribbing and all that is involved in being successful with your knitting of these projects. The book features different designers with their projects so every level of knitter can definitely find something to knit.

What makes me love Fresh Designs Men even more than I already do is that its publisher, Cooperative  Press, is partnered with the designers so every copy sold means the designers get more money and since I am an Indie lover, this makes me so happy. I encourage everybody to support this book and I give this book a MUST BUY for these and so many other reasons!

You can purchase this HERE   and I highly recommend it~! This is the Cooperative Press web page HERE

MY Made it Monday-DAY of DEAD Girl

// October 29th, 2012 // Comments Off // Blog, madeitmonday, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft

SO we have been hanging tight over Sandy who is going to hit us even harder than it is now tonight and tomorrow. I have been Arting and Recording the past few days to make a few videos and PLAY while I can-hoping electric doesn’t go out.
With Day of the dead coming up soon I like to do a page for it. I like to represent my son and celebrate him in his death. Maybe only in my crazy head it makes sense but…. for those who know me…I AM CRAZY lol. I did a page and made 2 videos on it


I have to paint the outside of her black yet but i will finish that today. I hope you enjoy the videos and show us what you made. Keep safe and Many Blessings!

Friday Crafty Recap | Year 2012 Issue 1

// October 26th, 2012 // Comments Off // About Us, Blog, Things Crafty Classes, Tuesday Shmoozeday

Greeting All!

I’ve been away from my weekly posts for a while as I had knee surgery, but I’m back now and excited as ever to be posting regularly. Now that I’m back I’ll be posting every Friday under this heading. You can meet here to get the a recap of the past week as well as links to some awesome stuff.

So Join me every Friday for a Crafty Recap and enjoy some online fun and frivolity – right here, only on Things Crafty!

 

 

If you are not already a member of the community, click here to sign up today. It’s free and you’ll get access to great information, discussion, live demos and more!

 

This Week On Things Crafty

Thanks for stopping in and checking things out. We are always adding new things, so I’ll be back next week with another recap. If you enjoy this post, share it. If you think something is interesting say so, and if you want more, come back and visit. We’ll be here and as our motto says, helping you with you creative journey.

See you next week!

Martiel~

 

 

Weekly Wednesday Linky Party #2

// October 3rd, 2012 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Bath & Body, Blog, Crochet, Kids Crafts, Knitting, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Needlearts, Stich, Felt, Sewing, Wednesday Crafty Links

It is Wednesday and time for Weekly Wednesday Linky Party #2.   Last week  was full of growing pains and beginners bad luck.  We had trouble  that I believe came from the provider so this weeks brings a new provider.

We want to see all of your recent projects in any medium but this week we especially can’t wait to see your spooky and creepy Halloween projects.  Upload your Halloween wreath, polymer clay bat necklace or mixed media haunted house project.  We want to see it all.

How to be a great party guest:

1. Be sure you are uploading ONLY items HANDMade by YOU.  That means no Etsy shops (specific items you are selling in an ETSY shop are fine), giveaways, contests, sponsored posts, or even recipes- although this a Halloween party so a really cool party project would be terrific.

2.  You must upload a specific project rather than your entire blog or FLickr set.

3. Please be sure to mingle with the other party guests by click on a few Links that catch your eye. Leaving a comment on those blogs is always nice.

4.  Link back to our party in your post so your readers can find us.  We can never have too many party guests.

5.  Grab our button and place it somewhere on your blog.

6.  The party will run until Monday at 8 pm.   Leave a comment here anytime this week and tell us what projects YOU enjoy the most then stop by on Tuesday to see what projects WE thought deserved special recognition.

 



 

 

 

Tuesday Schmoozeday Art Journal Play

// October 2nd, 2012 // Comments Off // Kids Crafts, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Things Crafty Classes, Tuesday Shmoozeday

Today on my Tuesday Schmoozeday I chose to talk about Art journals. I concentrated on healing ones but discussed many other types, and how easy it is with one piece of paper to make 4 different pages to use.
I also discussed that you do not have to be an Artist and draw and sketch, you can use magazines and old books to cut words and pictures from to make your very own art journal page and then add them together as you do more. Here is the link to the show’s replay and if you have any questions…just ask!
I also put in the discussion section a question if you would like to do the meditative project I did at the end of my show-by drawing a line in all directions and coloring them in with whatever you have around the house. I love this form of meditation and it’s very centering to me.
I love comments and any questions so do not hesitate! We all love the interaction with you! Don’t forget to check out my Knitting 101 Class and I will have others coming in the future!
Here are a few pictures from today.

Small Book Made from Tim Holtz Ruler Bookz Pages

// September 20th, 2012 // Comments Off // Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Tuesday Shmoozeday

This week on Tuesday Schmoozeday I made a small book using Tim Holtz Ruler Bookz Pages.  You can find the replay here.  I really love doing small projects like this to give as gifts and keep as special handmade memories for my girls.  Here are some pictures of the finished book.

How to Make a Faux Leather Keepsake Box

// September 12th, 2012 // Comments Off // Tuesday Shmoozeday

Today on my Live Tuesday Schmoozeday show I showed how to make a Faux Leather Keepsake Box using craft paper and a recycled box.

Check out the replay of my show here.  Here is a  picture of the finished product.

 

 

 

 

Please do not forget that Things Crafty is Free to join and has many free videos as well as inexpensive classes and Live shows on Tuesdays. Make sure that once you join the Ning site you join the Tuesday Shmoozeday group to get notifications and know where to go to see the free shows! AND PLEASE DO NOT FORGET THAT NEXT TUESDAY IS THE NEW SEASON LAUNCH PARTY! LIVE CRAFT DEMOS AND GIVEAWAYS AND IT STARTS AT 9 AM EST!

Learn to love Pleather!

// September 5th, 2012 // Comments Off // Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Needlearts, Stich, Felt, Uncategorized

Hey there crafters, here is a new technique to try.  I’ve used this paper technique to make all sorts of jewelry, barrettes, scrapbook accents, even a pleather faux leather decorative box.  Give this technique a try, then share your creations!  This is just a starting point, there are so many more ways you can take these ingredients.

A ‘pleather’ you can love.

Pleather.  That cheap, plasticy leather look-alike that every child of the 80′s should remember.  Your dreams will always be haunted by images like these:


Not to fear.  I will replace these haunting images in your dreams with an entirely different pleather, one you will love to make and love even more to use!

The ‘p’ part of my pleather comes not from plastic but instead from paper!  Yes, you can create a leather-like material with items you probably have already in your craftroom.  If not, what you need to gather is a bit of cardstock (plain or printed work well), some acrylic medium, a brush, an old credit card and/or  brayer and a non-stick work surface.  I use Liquitex, you could use Golden gel medium, or any other artist quality acrylic medium.  The key features to look for in your medium is a semi-self leveling fluid that dries clear and flexible.  I don’t care for Mod Podge for this technique but if you love it, use it.
Begin by selecting your papers.  I have done this with cardstock, mid-weight patterned scrapbooking paper, even book pages!  If you are going to use lighter weight paper you will want to glue together several pieces of paper to get the strength you want.

Lay your paper on your non-stick work surface and apply a generous coat of your medium spreading evenly with your brush.  If you are using light weight papers once you spread the acrylic gel you should lay another sheet of paper in the medium.  Repeat this process for 3-4 layers of paper.  Finish off with another coat of the gel.  At this time you can experiment with different surface finishes.  I found spreading the gel with an old credit card creates a very smooth finish, while using a brayer gives more of a ‘distressed leather’ look.  You could even experiment with other surface techniques to find your favorite.  Let the medium dry completely. (For this project I wanted a little added strength to the ‘wrong side’ of my cardstock so I layered a rice paper sheet on the back of the page, then finished the front of my paper.)

Once your acrylic medium is fully dry turn the paper over and repeat the surface finish on the back side of the page.  Even if you are not using a paper with a pattern on the back coating both the front and the back will add the extra body you need to create the leather feel.

Once your paper is completely dry carefully peel it off your non-stick surface and start creating! This technique is great for adding accents to a masculine scrapbook layout or for your decor and art journal techniques. If you try share some of your creations here with me!

This is a braided ‘pleather’ piece that I will share with you all soon!

 

To see a creation made with my pleather technique view this handbag on my blog.  Have you fallen in love?  You could purchase it on my website under One of a Kind art.

I Am In Love With Gnome’s Homes!

// August 28th, 2012 // Comments Off // Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft

One of favorite crafter’s is Cynthia Gagen of Creative Cynchronicity.  Every Wednesday night at 9 pm EST she does a live show which you can find here.  She always demos such great ideas and her shows are always fun!

While watching the replay of last weeks show I fell in love.  She had Andrea Currie and Lisa Fulmer, winners of Craft Wars Altar or Falter episode, on her show.  They were answering questions and doing another take on their Pop Craft project from Craft Wars, keepsake boxes with locks and keys.  On the show they made a Gnome’s Home.

Wednesday night they showed off and explained how to make their Gnome’s Homes.  You can find their Gnome’s Homes from the show here and here.  Both were awesome and unique!  Andrea Currie also created a template so we could too make our own Gnome’s Homes, you can find it on her blog at the link above.

Needless to say I got right to work.  I have been having so much fun constructing a tiny Gnome Village.  Here are the Gnome’s Home’s I created.

Front

 

Back

 

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