Archive for the category: blogs

:: New ways with rick rack

Posted by Joelle on July 9, 2008 | Permalink

I’m a big fan of rick rack. I have a bag of it in my sewing box, but frankly, though I often take it out to see if it would enhance a bit of sewing, I never seem to find opportunities to use it. It seems often just a bit too twee and retro for what I’m after.

However, having stumbled across this blanket tutorial over at Purl Bee, I have found a rather charming way of using it. Instead of just stitching it on as zig zag trim, it is sandwiched between two layers with the tips pointing out. I guess that doesn’t take a huge leap of imagination, and it’s simple enough to do, but I wouldn’t have come up with it, so I thought I’d share the idea.

My blanket is for the soon-due baby of a friend. She’s going to be called Poppy, and will have a very stylish mother, so it seemed the perfect opportunity to use this lovely bold fabric from Marimekko. Oh how I love their prints! Add some orange jumbo rick rack, and a very well matched yellow green fleece from Ikea et voila. I’m thinking of quilting around the flower outlines. Good idea?

Categories: blogs, craft, tutorial
Tags: baby blanket, marimekko, rick rack

3 comments

:: Rachael Matthews for Next Queen

Posted by Sonja on July 4, 2008 | Permalink

I once looked into the application process for nominating someone for an OBE (we used to have a truly remarkable postman called Ken who definitely deserved one) but it looked far too complicated. I’m tempted to try again, so we can get Rachael Matthews to be awarded it by the Queen. Maybe if the Queen met Rachael she would appoint her as her royal successor. I think it would make sense.
Rachael set up Cast Off Knitting Club and now runs Prick Your Finger, the best haberdashery shop in the world. Her house, above the shop, is like her own natural palace - purposefully wonky, designed by a crazy architect in the eighties, full of random, fascinating stuff.
I strongly suggest reading Rachael’s blog. It’s the only blog I read apart from this one. Those are her hands in the picture above, writing it…

Categories: blogs, craft
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1 comment

:: Inspiration

Posted by Joelle on May 1, 2008 | Permalink

It’s funny how I go through a patch of not blogging much, not making much, doing mainly other things, and then pouf! all of a sudden ideas keep popping into my head and I can’t help it.

Here’s things that are making me feel excited today:

- really lovely camera case tutorial (pictured above) on Ayumill’s exciting new blog Pink Penguin, just crying out to me to make little quilted purses and clutch bags

- utterly charming broderie anglais pebbles from Stephanie Barnes upcoming picnic collection. I can’t fathom why these appeal quite so much to me, but they do

- Stuart Kovakolic’s amazing nine metre long Never Been mural

- cute and simple DIY paper sihouette tutorial by threepotatofour on Design*Sponge, giving me ideas for greetings cards.

Categories: blogs, craft, tutorial
Tags: inspiration

4 comments

:: Buying handmade is still buying

Posted by Joelle on February 14, 2008 | Permalink

“Desafio superzíper: eu apoio essa campanha!” by Alice Batelli on Flickr.

I just read this short article What Would Jesus Sell? by Jean Railla of GetCrafty on the Murketing blog, which has crystallised a niggle I have had in the back of my head for a while. Read more…

Categories: adventure, blogs, craft, green, shopping
Tags: blogs, craft, craftivism, jean railla, murketing, thinking

11 comments

:: Don’t fear the penguin

Posted by Kirsty on February 1, 2008 | Permalink

Piggyback penguin pic by Mariana on Flickr

The internet became that little bit better today, as Fearful Penguin relaunched her fabulous crafty website!

Categories: blogs, craft
Tags: craft blogs, fearful penguin

4 comments

:: Beautiful, ordinary

Posted by Joelle on January 15, 2008 | Permalink

Image by Molly at Orangette

I don’t know what it is about my mood that affects what I feel like posting here, but I today I am full of thoughts springing from rather trivial matters like what to make for dinner, that grow into something bigger, about values.
Read more…

Categories: blogs
Tags: blogs, food, orangette, slow food

3 comments

:: Knitted Christmas decorations by Soule Mama

Posted by Kerry on December 3, 2007 | Permalink

Soule Mama is one of those blogs that I love to dip into for crafty inspiration, and I’d recommend it to anyone who secretly (or maybe not-so-secretly!) yearns for a quick hit of domestic bliss. Anyway, I absolutely have to share this post, in which the author knits a beautiful garland for her Christmas tree (pictured above). Now I’m all for a bit of festive craft - just you try to keep me away from the home-made cards and lavish centrepieces! - but I just can’t imagine having the patience to knit a garland big enough for a full-size tree. Needless to say, I’m impressed!

Now, this brings me to my point: I’m planning on handmaking a few of my own decorations this year. I’ve an idea for a wreath that I can’t wait to share with you all (assuming it doesn’t go horribly wrong, in which case I’ll save it for our forthcoming feature on craft disasters!), but apart from that I’m open to suggestion. If anyone has any tips for slightly less labour-intensive handmade decorations, from baubles to garlands to scary gingerbread things, please share!

Categories: blogs, christmas, craft
Tags: christmas decorations, knitting, soule mama

4 comments