Posted in Artists, Community Projects, Computer Crafts, Craft Classes, Craft Supplies, Easy Crafts, Family Crafts, Floral Crafts, Gifts, Glass Crafts, Holidays, Jewelry, Kid's Crafts, Knit/Crochet, Metal Crafts, Natural Crafts, Painting & Drawing, Paper Crafts, Patterns, Photography, Quilting, Recycled Crafts, Scrapbooking, Sewing, Techniques, Woodworking Projects on July 16th, 2006
Creativity is the fuel that drives the crafter. It is an expression of ideas that brew about in our heads. Sometimes the creativity well runs dry though, and a little help is necessary. Other times it is fun to see what other people have created and expand our own ideas. “The Creative Life,” is a television show, with a corresponding Web site, that features everything from traditional crafting to the new recycled art so popular today.
‘The Creative Life’ is your new one-stop show for step-by-step how-to segments and tips and techniques for creating unique items for the home. From decorative painting to building, gardening to cooking, sewing to home decor and everything in between, Cheryl does it all, and takes you on location as she explores every nook and cranny of ‘The Creative Life.’
The Creative Life Web Site
“The Creative Life” presents not only ideas but free patterns on the Web site. If you have been unaware of this show, you can also find the PBS scheduling so you can watch the production in your local area. You can also see different clips from the show. For the crafter, “The Creative Life” is a “creative” approach to crafting that will be become a useful resource.
The Creative Life
Posted in Patterns, Sewing, Techniques on July 15th, 2006
One of the hottest fashion trends around today is the “Boho” look. It is somewhat difficult to explain. Parts of it looks fabulously expensive and classy. Other parts look like they were pulled out of the back of a closet or found in a thrift store. It is a unique combination of items and elements that might not have been paired at any other time. It is fun, distinctive, and very unique to each of its fans.
One item that is a necessity for the Boho look is a belt. Often oversized tops are used in this look but they are cinched in tight with a very visible belt. These belts, being the big fashion ticket they are right now, are quite expensive, but for the crafter, specifically the seamstress, these belts are easily made and each one can be quite unique.
This page at Simplicity patterns tells you how to make a belt that will work perfectly with your Boho look. There are many ways to make this belt and with the materials available to crafters, the possibilities are endless. Everything you need, with the exception of the materials of course, is right on this Simplicity page. Take a look. Boho is a fun look for anyone and it lends an opportunity to be creative in the closet.
Simplicity Belt Patterns - Free Online
More on Boho Fashion
Posted in Gifts, Jewelry, Metal Crafts, Recycled Crafts on July 12th, 2006
Inspiration comes from many quarters. Professional designs are of course one of the best ways to become inspired. You can also do “knock-offs” of a professional design for yourself. But where do you find some unique ideas, particularly with the industrial, layered-up, stripped down, boho fashions of today? Easy! You look at a New York All-Nighter Hangout that makes them already!
Studio 1am
Posted in Computer Crafts, Craft Supplies, Floral Crafts, Jewelry, Knit/Crochet, Metal Crafts, Needle Felting, Paper Crafts, Quilting, Scrapbooking, Sewing, Techniques on July 11th, 2006
Do you have sore hands from knitting or crocheting? I sure do. My hands get so tired and feel so painful from marathon hours of knitting. Many crafters have this problem. Some crafting days I feel like my finger joints are on fire and the rest of my hands are just plain worn out.
There are some things you can do if you have this problem. As I said, it is a common problem with crafters and also with computer users. With those of us on the Internet doing knitting blogs - well, we have a double whammy.
The 5 X 5 X 5 hand workout is something that should help you a great deal. Exercising your hands in a way to relieve pain and stiffness, will help you avoid repetitive stress injuries.
On this page, you will also find a product called Handeze Massage Gloves. This is another thing that will help hand pain during crafting. They can be ordered online in several places and Berroco has taken any risk of getting the wrong size away. They have a hand sizer that works right on your monitor. Set your screen resolution to 640 X 480 to have the sizer work accurately.
Hand pain is a difficult problem for crafters and computer users. We love what we do and even when it hurts, we keep doing it. There is no point in telling a knitter to stop knitting because of hand problems. Taking care of your hands and taking some steps to ease problems through prevention can extend the time you can spend on the needles.
