I was delighted when Debora of Storey Publishing asked me if I would like a copy of the The Sweater Chop Shop: Sewing One-of-a-kind Creations from Recycled Sweaters by Christina Ffrench. Would I ever! This book is lovely in every way. I really enjoy how instead of models, this book is completely illustrated. *cover and main project illustrations done by Marguerite Sauvage, all the tutorial illustrations were done by the author, from what I can gather from the inside flap anyway. Both are great illustrators.* The author has many insights on how to use a sweater – both fulled and straight up. And she has this great diagram on the most efficient way to cut up the sweater for parts. Explaining stitching methods for piecing together the sweater – a key thing. This is more important than might be first expected. To keep the fabric even and from pulling, or the threads from pulling out. The instructions are superb.
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by Alyssa Devanny from Refashion

My addiction to fabric means I have accumulated quite a stash of leftover scraps; pieces too small for most projects but too lovely to throw away.

All this leftover goodness can be utilized by making a table runner. As well as making your table look chic, a table runner is useful for protecting your table from hot pots.
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This month’s issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly is all about drawing, so when I saw this flashback to issue 6 of Craftzine I just had to link up. In fact, using this method is how I made the coloring pages in the zine!

I used watercolor pencils for the first time in about 10 years and had a bit of fun brushing the pigment around.

Here is what they write about the project:

“This week’s flashback feature comes from CRAFT Volume 06, the Play issue. “Color Your World” by Summer Block Kumar shows you how to make coloring books with your images in 7 easy steps. All you need is a computer (I know you have that one!), Adobe Photoshop software, digital photos of your choosing, a color printer, acid-free heavy-stock paper, a binding machine (or check out the plethora of binding DIYs online), and crayons or colored pencils. And besides the coolness factor, they make great souvenir gifts.”

Check it out in the digital edition, or get the back issue in the Maker’s Shed – it’s so worth it. Issue 6 was a really great issue. Heck, all the issues are really great issues – I fully endorse picking up the box set!

And of couse, make sure to check out this month’s issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly (on etsy) for more drawing related projects. And don’t forget back issues of clm are now available going back to Dec 2008 in the Kro Studio Shop!

Drawing is my primary language. I have been drawing since before I can remember and before I could read or right most definitely. I am so happy to present this issue to you because it’s all about drawing. Yes of course there will be some instruction on drawing, but there will be a lot of great drawing related projects and tutorials.

*How to make your own charcoal
*Book reviews for books about drawing – from Instructional to Inspirational
*Sew your own Pencil Wrap
*A great right up on an enthusiastic draftsman Micheal Nobbs
*And of course many other fun things that will just have to remain a surprise to you

This zine is perfect for anyone who is interested in learning to draw, is fascinated by drawing but hasn’t given it a try yet, or loves drawing likes me.

This months kit is pretty neat. All the supplies you need to make your own codex bound sketchbook – boards for the cover, scrap paper to fill it, waxed linen thread, and a curved needle for stitching. Included in the kit is a brand new mini book: Stitch and Sketch IT!

You can get a:

1 Month Subscription

3 Month Subscription

or the Zine!

You can check out the listings here if you have an account on etsy.

Full Subscriptions are on sale until 2pm on Tuesday July 21st and are sent out all at once on Wednesday, July 22nd.

Make sure to go check it out and I’ll see you all tomorrow. Back to work drawing, cutting, folding, and assembling! I love putting this all together each month.

See you all tomorrow! Have a great night!

Kristin

This great new book by Diane Gilleland has 5 great projects for weaving without a loom. Each project is unique and interesting. It covers a lot of bases too, it’s not all one style or one type of project, each project uses a different method.

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It’s the perfect thing for anyone interested in weaving but feeling a bit nervous about looms, or for advanced weavers looking for a fresh way of approaching their craft of choice. And as always the instructions are clear and concise and friendly – a perfect combo!

I especially love this bag! Seeing how I have a blot of burlap around here somewhere it only makes sense that this will be the first project I make. The woven in ribbon adds just the right touch – and aren’t those handles great! I can imagine it packed full of my latest projects and showing it off at the next knit group already!

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She had really taken advantage of the digital format with this book by giving you printer friendly instruction sheets at the end of each project. And if you just want to get your toes wet, you can also get each project individually.

You can see pictures of all the projects, more information about the book and a free loomless weaving project to download here. And you can purchase the book, any of the projects from the book, or her other e-book Making a Great Blog here.

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Happy weaving and making!

Kristin

Remember how I posted forever ago about wanting to try to make my own charcoal? (link) Well, on Sunday I finally gave it a shot and it worked out great!

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This past week I have been doing a lot of crocheting in the round and so when I would go through my rss feeder it seemed like every post about crochet seemed to jump out and yell “pick me, write about me, read me!” I picked my favorite tutorials and round ups out of the bunch for your inspirational pleasure.

It was the pattern I posted on Friday that lead to most of it, but it just kind of kept going and here I was today, crocheting in the round again today. Jason took some shots for me of my hands in motion. I might eventually possibly use them to show you how to do a magic loop (great way to start crocheting in the round, a great alternative cast on for knitting). If not, it was still fun:

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My friend Sarah mentioned to me how when she is working in the round and wants a really smooth circle, she will rotate the increase points around the circle. She also suggests working 6 increases per round – so like you start out working your ch1 for the first sc of your round, then work a sc into the base of that stitch as your “2sc”. The next round you would ch1, then work the 2sc into the next sc. The round after that you would work ch1, 1sc into next stitch, 2sc into the next stitch.

So I tried it out (that’s what the pictures are of above) and it was the smoothest circle I’ve ever crocheted in my life! Thank you Sarah! I love having friends who don’t mind telling me “you could be doing that easier and here is how” :)

How to read crochet patterns – great set of links over on whipup.net

Crocheted Magic Loop – A great way to get your crochet or knitting started in the round.

Crocheted Stash Basket on the Purl Bee – This is so simple and beautiful. I think I must make it

Making Crocheted Circles on Any size on Suite 101 – I found this to be the most helpful tutorial on crocheting circles.

Granny Square Inspirations on whip up – Part 1 and Part 2.

Granny Square Joining Tutorial on Carina’s Craft Blog – via whip up.

Crocheted tops to Ceramic pots – just plain beautiful over on design sponge

Annette of CraftStew wrote up a great article on how to earn money from Crafts – ideas for businesses and income flows.

She writes:

“With today’s problematic economy, folks everywhere are searching for alternative ways to bring in extra income.  For crafters, our hobby provides an obvious source of extra cash. Four popular income producers are teaching, selling our products, writing and providing services.”

Too true, too true.

You can check out the full list here.

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She emailed me about and said you all might enjoy it and I think she’s right. I would like to get back into the Homebased Studio Series and I think this is a good place to start.

I create income from my homebased studio through a variety of means: I teach classes and private lessons here in my local community, sell handmade and hand dyed yarns through boutiques and my online stores, write and publish 2 blogs – cl generates a small amount of ad rev each month, I write articles, patterns and tutorials for magazines and other websites, and I sell paintings and drawings by word of mouth as well as in galleries. Oh and I do mending for people for a small fee. Pretty much any odd job I can get my hands on :)

So now I’m curious, How do you earn money from the things that you make?

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Two recent points of news – I have my first Ames area show coming up in October. I’m excited, it’s my first showing of paintings since, well, since I decided to start showing again. And I just added my first for sale pattern to Green Prairie Fibers, it’s for a Raffia Sun Hat that you can crochet. You can see pictures and read about it here and you can purchase it here in the etsy shop.

And with that, I’ll leave you for the day. I have much sewing, painting, and chocolate slinging to do.

Happy Crafting!
Kristin

Jenny Ryan has been showcasing some great tutorials every Tuesday. This last Tuesday’s post had to do with using up long strips of fabric by making them into beautiful necklaces. The tutorial is complete with how to add in the metal chain and clasps too! [link]

Long skinny strips have always been the hardest leftover for me to use up and now that I have seen this method I have quite a few more ideas. Braiding them together! What a brilliant idea! Look for a braided fabric project later this summer for sure!

Oh and don’t forget to check out all the other great How to Tuesdays posts – just scroll to the bottom of the tutorial and they are all listed under Related Post.

Happy Monday and Happy Crafting!

Kristin