National Craft Month Demo Days at The Muse!

As part of National Craft Month, my local handmade shop, The Muse, hosts a local artist each Sunday of March to demonstrate a craft or skill from 2-4 in the afternoon. I was asked to kick off Demo Days and I decided to demonstrate how to use pom pom makers and then use them to make a pom pom rug! I only got about half way finished the rug, as I taught SO many wonderful people how to use pom pom makers, but I'm excited to finish the rug during this huge snow storm we're expecting this week.

Anyway, while I was teaching an adorable 5th grader how to use the pom pom makers, Bill Green, a photographer from our local paper, The Frederick News Post, came by and snapped a few photos. It's certainly not the best photo, but is a little bit of press to add to my resume! I wish they could have included the little girl, too, but that's ok!

Read the press release here.

What have you been crafting for National Craft 9and Crochet!) Month? 

xo,

Review: Fancy Tiger Crafts of Denver, CO + Chiaogoo Crochet Hooks

When Cory and I were on our summer road trip we stayed in Boulder, CO for a few days. Having never been to Colorado, I was pleasantly surprised because they have a thoroughly established handmade community. I had been given a recommendation by my friend Whitney to stop by Fancy Tiger Crafts on our way through Denver. I'm so glad we did because not only did I fall in love with the store, but I also picked up a few Chiaogoo crochet hooks in the process! So here you go, a two-in-one review!

As soon as you walk into Fancy Tiger Crafts, it's nothing but color. Every item, notion, or product is available in a wide variety of colors. What I loved about this shop was that every nook and cranny was fully stocked with product, but I never felt overwhelmed. The staff was exceptionally friendly and willing to talk with me about crocheting while I picked out a new book and a small gift for Whitney. They also were very helpful while I asked them a few questions about Chiaogoo crochet hooks.

This incredible yarn-bombed deer in the back of the store is too gorgeous for me to put into words. As a person who isn't font of taxidermy, this would be my only exception. It was gorgeous!

Fancy Tiger had nearly every material, notion, or craft product I could dream of including a wide variety of Mexican oil cloth. It really made me wish I could ship boxes back home, but alas, I had to hold off to stick to my road trip budget! All in all, Fancy Tiger Crafts was a happy place. I saw many locals coming into pick out supplies for their craft projects which reaffirms that it's a community establishment. To me, it's as important that local craft stores feel as part of the community as your favorite pub or eatery.

So now to the second review: Chiaogoo Crochet Hooks!

While I was at Fancy Tiger, I stumbled upon their crochet hook selection and saw a brand of crochet hooks I was unfamiliar with at the time. Always wanting to try out new supplies, materials, etc., I picked up two different sized Chiaogoo hooks to try out throughout our remaining days on our roadtrip.

To be honest, what I like most about the Chiaogoo hooks is that they are simple. They are sturdy, smooth bamboo crochet hooks that I can imagine the earliest crocheters using. They fit nicely in my hand and I don't have a trouble gripping them like aluminum or plastic hooks. They're pricey. I spent $10 on a 25mm hook, but in my mind, it's totally worth it. As artists, we try to give our customers the highest quality product, but sometimes we need the highest quality tools to do that. If you're willing to make a life-long investment, I highly encourage you to try out Chiaogoo hooks. They would also make a really nice gift or stocking stuffer for the needle artist in your life!

What craft shop or product have you tried recently that you've loved? Let me know in the comments!

xo,

Smash* Books for Target

If there's one thing I love, it's the magical vortex that is every Target store I've ever been to. Are you with me? I can say, "I'll be back in 15 minutes!" and the next thing I know it's been 55 minutes. I have no idea what they do or how they do it--but it works. Sometimes after work, especially after a hard day at work, I'll take myself on a little stroll through our local Target just to check things out. I don't usually buy much or anything at all--which is good because I'm one heck of an impulse shopper (which I'm *crosses fingers* hopefully growing out of). 

Last week, during the craziness, I needed to pick up a few odds and ends for spring break, so I just took myself on a little Target walk. I noticed a few new items in their scrapbooking aisle from the Smash* collection from K & C Company. Usually the scrapbooking items at Target don't match my aesthetic, but the Smash* items were so lovely and fun that I instantly fell in love!

Fast forward to this Saturday at my uncle's house, where we celebrate Easter. My aunt put together handmade Easter baskets for each of my cousins (I have 6 cousins under the age of 13) and I noticed that the eldest girl, Kiersten (13 years old), got a Smash* book in her basket! Jealous! Since Kiersten didn't really understand what it was all about, I explained that Smash* functions as a fun collaboration between art journaling and scrapbooking. She was hooked! It's so good to see future crafters in my own family ;).

Well, after thinking about that beloved Smash* book for a few days, I finally took myself on a trip to Target today and picked one up for myself!

Right now, Smash* books are only 12.99 at Target (which isn't bad because I've also seen them at other stores for $15+). There are 4 options for books--4 regular sized themed books (Pretty--pink; Doodle--red; Adventure--black; and Retro--blue), and then a smaller option that comes in one theme, but I think is only $7.99 and the perfect size for your purse. Each Smash* book comes with a felt-tip black pen perfect for journaling on those pretty pages, and on the opposite side of the pen, a glue stick for sticking in those memories. Now, don't be like me and start winding up your glue stick without realizing it--forcing it inside the cap of the pen. aye aye aye.

I ended up picking up the Doodle version (red), because I liked the graphics, colors, and designs of the scrap pages better. While I was there, I also gave into temptation and bought a pack of big glitter foam stickers. I just couldn't resist the typography and colors of glitter! I could, however, resist all the other ancillary items that the Smash* Collection offers, for now at least. I have a pretty big collection of washi tape from Christmas that needs to be used and a plethora of other odds and ends around the house. Plus, the only item I truly had my eye on was that date stamp.

I came right home and made it my own. I'm pretty excited over the prospects of this thing--as I've always wanted to journal on a more regular basis, but am so easily overwhelmed by the entire process.

Above all else, I'm excited about using this book as a way to document my spring and summer! We're truly on the verge of summer around here (it's really the only thing I can think about anymore), so I'm thinking this will be a lot of fun!

How do you preserve your memories? 

xo,

Deck the Halls: Pom Pom Trees!

From year to year my taste and style changes, so I always find myself making a few last minute crafts to freshen my holiday look. I've always been fairly traditional when it comes to decorating for Christmas--red, gold, silver. I love how warm it feels. I also love the ease of taking down all the red and keeping the gold & silver adorning our home to bring in the new year! 

As I was organizing my studio space after we moved in June, I found a few cardboard cones that I had bought this time last year. Keeping them in mind for trees of some sort, I finally came up with what I wanted to do!

Materials:

• pom poms in 3 various shapes (small, medium, large) and colors. I found mine at Michael's.
• I chose red and white for this DIY but also bought blue, purple, and an assortment of bright colors. I'm using the other colors to make trees as gifts for my little nieces of nephews! 
• hot glue gun
• cardboard cone (mine was 4 x 10)
• Not shown: plastic trash bag to cover my surface and protect it from hot glue drippings.

Step 1: Dump out your pom poms so you can organize them by size and color. It was easier for me to have them spread out on a plastic trash bag than if they were still in the bag.

Step 2: Begin gluing the larger pom poms around your cone in no particular order (unless you want to have it striped or diagonal). 

Step 3: Begin filling in space with the other sized pom poms, in no particular order, to cover the entire cone.

Step 4: Let dry for a few minutes after you cover the entire cone. You can add in more pom poms to create a more textured feel and also this is a good time to fill in missed space!

Step 5: Stage accordingly! I used my pom pom tree to add a little color to a pie table we have behind our sofa. I wanted that table to be full of whimsy and color since it's where our stockings hang. (In case you're wondering, It's a Wonderful Life is playing in the background ;).

What DIY projects have you completed this season to freshen your holiday collection?

xo,

Liz

Click here for more Deck the Hall posts.

Deck the Halls: Paper Snowflakes!

Typical November weather in Maryland is like a steep slide at the playground. You start up top in the low 60s/high 50s and by the end of the month, you're scraping 45 for a daily high. Not this year, though. Oh no. We have been hitting 70 degrees nearly every other day the entire month. Even though we had a pretty shocking snowstorm in October, there is zero snow in sight for us. It makes me a little sad to not see such a defined transition from fall to winter, but I'm hoping it is right around the corner!

One way to keep myself occupied and thinking about snow is by cutting out paper snowflakes! I know for many of you it is probably a tried and true tradition, or maybe if it isn't, you will start this year. I have visited a lot of tutorials for snowflake making and wanted to share with you the best of the best to ease the process for you!

For those of you who like step-by-step photographs, this tutorial from Hope Studios is easy-peasy.

My favorite tutorial for crafty and creative snowflakes is from Vintage Junky.

They offer a pretty cool (and easy to follow) pdf of many designs and shapes that, to me, are asthetically pleasing.

Tiffany Bird over at Simply Modern Mom put a different, more crafty and kid friendly spin on the paper snowflake by using polygons and swirls! I love the mod look of these paper snowflakes!

This easy-to-follow tutorial by Allison Gryski is pretty simple with beautiful results. She obviously has an eye for detail: cute!

I have seen this design popping up in local restaurants and shops as it has more of an artsy feel. I never realized how easy they would be to make, though! This tutorial from Cutoutandmake.com is so easy! I wonder how you could incorporate felt or fabric into a design like this? Hmm..

And if you're looking to add a little paper snowflake cheer to your giftwrapping this season, How About Orange has you covered!

When was the last time you made a paper snowflake? It only takes about 5 minutes and I love how such a simple process totally transports you back into time! It's like being a kid again :)

xo,

Liz

p.s. Go here for more Deck the Halls posts!

Deck the Halls: Customized Vintage Instax Album!

I take a lot of photos this time of year. Mostly they're either on my cell or with my instax, since they're the simplest to carry around in my purse. What about you?

When I bought Cory the Instax Wide for Christmas in 2009, I didn't realize how big the actual camera would actually be, but we are smitten with it nonetheless. I always try to find new ways to use our instax shots, but knowing me, I will have more photos than what I know what to do with!

I was thrifting a few weeks ago and found a vintage photo album that was designed to hold small photos and I knew it would be perfect for our instax wide photos! Here's how I personalized it for our upcoming seasonal photos!

Materials needed:

• vintage photo album
• scrap faux metal shelf liner (contact paper) or whatever color you have
• scissors
• Sharpie/permanent marker

Step 1:

• Before you start actually writing on the contact paper, try practicing your lettering. I found out the hard way and went through... a lot... of contact paper ;).
• Write out whatever you want the cover to say that will represent what is inside. Mine says "Our Holiday 2011" because I know I want to only store holiday photos in it.

Step 2:

• Begin carefully cutting out your letters.
• As you go, peel off the back of stickers and place them appropriately on your cover. This will allow you to keep an eye on spacing and adjusting your letter size if needed.

Step 3:

• Take a look at your customized album! Pretty!

Step 4:

• Snap a few photos and place inside! Don't forget to write your captions!

This sure would make a pretty pairing for that special someone you're gifting an Instax camera to this holiday!

xo,

Liz

P.S. Here are other Deck the Hall posts!

Deck the Halls: Felt Light Bulb Ornament DIY

I'm back with another ornament DIY for our Deck the Halls series!

This isn't as simple-minded, but the end result is so cute you won't be able to pass it up. Today I'm going to show you how to make a felt light bulb!

Materials you will need:

•  colorful sheets of felt--you can get at least 3 ornaments from each piece.
• pencil or felt-tip pen
• white piece of tissue paper or tracing paper
• embroidery floss
• scissors
• needle
• NOT PICTURED: Poly-fil fiber stuffing

Step 1: Using your tissue paper or tracing paper and pencil, trace a simple light bulb stencil. I used this stencil for free.

Step 2: Cut out your light bulb stencil and use your felt tip pen or pencil to trace it on to your chosen piece of felt. Be sure you trace it so the point of the bulb is near the end of the piece of felt. (as shown below)

 Step 3: Fold your felt so you will have two sides to your light bulb. Once your felt is folded, begin cutting out your light bulb, leaving the bottom end as a fold.

(I wasn't very careful about my edges, but if you want you could use standard sewing pins to help guide your cutting.)

 Step 4: Thread the needle with the color of your choice and tie off with a square knot (I went with pink because I wanted the stitches to stand out). Begin stitching by feeding the needle through the inside of the fold and then out--this will hide your square knot. It is nice when someone lends a paw to help out with this step.

Step 5: Begin stitching across the "metal" part of your light bulb. I back-stitched for this entire project. Need a back-stitch refresher? Go here.

When you're back-stitching across to mock the metal ribs on an actual light bulb, make sure you don't stitch the fold down--you will need that space for your hook later.

Step 6: Continue back-stitching around the bulb until you have about 1.5 inches remaining.

 Step 7: Grab your poly-fil and begin stuffing a little into the light bulb. Be sure you don't over-stuff as we still need to sew the light bulb closed!

Step 8: Hold the sides of the light bulb closed to continue back-stitching the bulb closed.

Step 9: Once you are finished stitching, bind of your thread using the technique in this post.

With the remaining thread on your needle, slide the needle through the fold of the light bulb to tie a knot for your ornament hook.

Hang and display!

 

Enjoy!

If you follow this DIY and post your results, leave me a link in the comments!

P.S. Want to see more Deck the Halls posts? Go here.