I’ve seen a few variations on ways to mount completed embroidery, and I’m liking this latest tutorial from Maximum Rabbit Designs. I particularly appreciate her use of double-sided tape, and find her technique for padding the embroidery really interesting. [via Mr. X-Stitch]
Spring Cleaning sale in the Maker Shed!
Spring is in the air! The snow is melting, the birds are chirping, and we’re looking to do some cleaning in our warehouse. What does that mean for you? Well, for starters, we have a bunch of products on sale in the Maker Shed. We’ll even throw in free shipping on orders over $125! Just use the code “CLEARME” at checkout.
I first noticed our next designer while flipping through Interweave Crochet. I usually can spot a designer’s project pretty quickly, since we all seem to have our own unique style. When I first spotted, Julia’s work, she made me stop in my tracks. Her designs are fantastic. They are always incredibly wearable and make you take a double take to say, “Wow, is that crochet?”. I just love that feeling as a fellow designer, when another person’s work makes me stop and smile. It just makes my day. And that’s what Julia Vaconsin’s work does.
Julia Vaconsin: www.juliavaconsin.com
Mother of three (and just like me recent arrival this past fall- so super busy with baby), crafter (her sewing skills make me jealous, b/c her brood let her have time to sew), and fantastic designer.
If you have picked up an Interweave Crochet in the last year, you have probably seen her designs gracing the cover. In fact she’s had as many covers as most veteran designers have their whole career. And she just started working with Interweave in 2008. You can see what I mean by her Fall 2008 yoke sweater. Now doesn’t that look store bought knit. Incredible.
Julia is great because she has patterns published over the pond and here in the states. She has patterns for sale and patterns for free. The mittens are for sale on her website.
My only wish is that there was a time warp machine, and that she could have it. So that she would have time to write a book, because I know for sure the crochet world would adore it.
Vickie Howell has two great projects to knit for St. Patrick’s Day! You can make this quick and easy mitered knit shamrocks or dress up your favorite little one in these shamrock booties.
Stitch Village by Joan Gorman
Stitch Village from Joan Gorman of Nini Makes is a great example of a beautifully designed, well-executed e-book for crafters. It’s a great collection of charming and easy-to-tackle projects that will have you firing up your sewing machine and threading up your embroidery needles faster than you can scroll through all the pages in the book. It’s the first in her series of Stitch Village books wherein she hopes to provide instruction and resources for crafters looking for a new challenge.
A lot of contemporary crafters are skilled at multiple crafts yet want to learn more. Though we live in a modern, disposable world, I think many of us still need to craft but for 21st century reasons, mainly just to switch off. I hope these simple projects will allow people to do just that, and lose themselves in little stitches.
Projects in Volume 1 include delightful mushroom canisters made from repurposed containers, embroidered tote bags, iPod cases and more. Each is clearly explained (and in some cases, include step-by-step pictures, a treasure in craft books!) and includes full-size patterns. Perhaps my favorite thing about the book is that all the patterns can be printed at 100% and used with no changes. No worries of reducing or enlarging, just print and craft. I love that!
Joan brings her friendly voice and delightful aesthetic from her blog right into the book, making it fun, easy to read and very engaging. Her mix of projects combine ones that are simple and fast with ones that will give you just enough of a challenge to feel like you are learning something new. It’s a perfect blend, and a beautiful book.
Stitch Village, Volume 1 can be purchased in Joan’s shop and comes with a free Cheeky Cherub embroidery pattern. A percentage of sales from every volume of Stitch Village will go to charity. Volume 1 donations will be made to the British Red Cross for the Haiti appeal.
Book giveaway time!
Two lucky Craft readers will win a downloadable copy of Stitch Village. Just leave a comment telling us why you’d like this book. All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Thursday, March 11 and winners will be announced Friday on the site. Good luck, and be sure to check out Joan’s blog over at Nini Makes!
What are some crochet terms and definitions that you need help understanding?
You will find pattern authors that have their own terms and abbreviations. You may be new to crochet and not understand any of the language. We are global crocheters, so some terms will be different around the world, depending on the country you are in. When you stumble across something that you do not understand, I always recommend you ask the pattern author first, since they are the best resource. Sometimes it is difficult to reach the author, so you must do alternative research. That will be posting on different message forums exposing your question to a variety of people. There is usually someone who will be able to answer the question.
I am including a link to a chart, with many of the common crochet terms.
Crochet Abbreviations
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2008/12/crochet-abbreviation-chart.html
These little fuzzy friends come just in time to welcome spring. Check out Whit’s Knits over on The Purl Bee for the pattern and tutorial.
This jewelry made from reclaimed gun parts is a beautiful conversation piece. The intention of the GUN Reclamation Project is a statement about non-violence and transforming weapons into peaceful wearable art. I wonder if people who use and enjoy guns will want to wear them as well?
[via ecouterre]
Related Posts:
Gunfight Cross Stitch
Gun Purse
Papercraft AK-47
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