Category Archives: crafting

Swimming for Katie Renz – fundraiser

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From October 10-12 some of the best stampers are joining together to support and encourage fellow stamper, and former Craft Critique Reporter Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer.  If you’re not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year.  This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight.  A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer.  Her first post about it is here.  The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here.

This exclusive stamp designed by Becky Oehlers is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digis or a dig and SVG cut file.  100% of the profits go to Katie’s fund to help her and her young family.  Her husband Kevin and her three young children need our help and support.  In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale.  Direct donations are also being accepted.  Information central is HERE.  This is a permanent page that will stay active at i{heart}papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button.

Please visit the blogs in the hop today to see what they have done with this inspirational stamp! Here’s mine… won’t you Swim for Katie, too?

If you would like to send her a card, her mailing address is:

Katie Renz

PO Box 5913

Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

**update** Craft Critique will be posting more creations (I submitted mine.) – supply lists and/or tutorials will be included!

(Origami) Crane Infestation and Finishing Projects

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Remember this project? My daughter and I made about 300. Time to string these up.

I wonder how many people out there are like me – great ideas, just a little slow on the follow-through because 1) I keep thinking up more ideas, 2) I try to stay active with this kids and hubby, and 3) I actually need to sleep.

As for some of my summer projects that didn’t get done, I’m determined to finish them (like a chair I pulled from someone’s curbside trash, and bookcases for my daughter, the t-shirt quilt, reorganizing my office…yikes). What are your summer projects that didn’t get done? I’d love to hear from the internet universe. Maybe we can cheer each other on to the “finish line”.

Craft Book Review: Kelly McCants’s Sewing with Oilcloth

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Sewing with Oilcloth by Kelly McCants

I was excited to receive a review copy of Sewing with Oilcloth (Wiley) late last month! This is Kelly McCants’s debut book. She does a lovely job compiling 20 patterns of “fun and functional” projects. The projects aren’t complicated – their elegant simplicity shows off oilcloth. Actually getting and working with oilcloth is probably the bigger challenge.

It’s a thoughtful book for any crafter! (I just kept coming back to that word as I was reading the book.) McCants gives great advice starting with tools, tips and tricks to the “helpful, trouble-free instructions”. They are easy to follow with illustrated steps. The way that the book is organized – For the House, For You and For Kids – is also well thought out.

Bins and Tags from Oilcloth! Love it!

I’m thankful that she included a how-to-care for your material and sewn pieces, because I’m a newbie to oilcloth. And the introduction to laminated cotton – I didn’t know that material existed.

Now I have to go break out my roll of chalk cloth! I can’t wait to make a few bags, aprons and containers with the patterns!

Market Tote - great project

I cannot wait to make this Garden Apron

You can visit Kelly at her blogs, Modern June and Oilcloth Addict, and find out more about the Flick group dedicated to Sewing with Oilcloth.

Check out her book trailer – so cute!

30 Days of Creativity – Day 20: Handmade hellos

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Day 20: Read a crafty book or blog and write about it or create something inspired by it!

This might be one of my favorite craft books, Handmade hellos: Fresh Greeting Card Projects from First-Rate Crafters.  I grab it when I just need paper and card inspiration – we all need some every once in a while. The book has “…designs ranging from elegant to striking and sentiments both sweet and snarky…” Something for everyone! And how nice is it to get a handmade card from a friend?

I’ve made a few projects from this book, but I’m sorry I didn’t take pictures before I gave them to their chosen recipients. I typically end up creating things just in the nick of time, like minutes before I head out the door, go to a party, etc.

So, the book was published in 2008, but it’s still full of fresh and relevant card ideas. Eunice and Sabrina Moyle pulled together over 25 projects (that’s over 20 international artists) for all crafters to drool over. I love that it’s more than a “how-to” feature; they include artists’ bios, resources and special materials sections, too.

The techniques section has background info like how to make an envelope and a variety of sewing stitches. And, a template envelope in the back of the book is convenient and ready to use. Great photography makes me want to make all the cards, but since the projects are rated as Basic (quick), Moderate, or Advanced (involve), I can figure out what I actually have time to do.Inside Pages and Projects

All instructions have illustrated steps, and at the end of each card “recipe”, variations are included. So if you’re an adventurous (or renegade) crafter like I am sometimes, go with the suggestions for different approaches to the card. And, who doesn’t appreciate “Green Greetings” – you can use post-consumer waste, recycled paper or scraps for your projects, too.

New to me: Gocco printing. I’ve heard of it. Never done it. The book has projects that use it! Makes me want to buy a Gocco machine!

Go check out the Hello!Lucky site, check out this book… Anyone already have it?

30 Days of Creativity – Day 19: Inspiration Board

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Day 19: Do you keep a creative journal or have an inspiration board?  Share!

Vision boards, inspiration boards or journals – I dig them. I had a journal after college until I was married. Shortly afterwards, the journaling stopped… until Spring 2010.  (And it’s time to make a new one.)

Here are highlights from my old-school-cut-and-paste poster that came to life last year.

  • Started writing a semi-regular food column for an online newspaper (switch careers?).
  • Became an editor at Craft Critique (there’s a little cut-out word “editor”).
  • Rode 25 miles in my first organized cycling/bike ride (see the woman on the bike?).

Here’s a neat post explaining how to make a virtual inspiration board with Picasa. And I enjoyed this article explaining the “why” behind vision boards. I wonder how many people actually do these? Are there people who share them with the world, or is it too personal?

Inspired by Maroon 5

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(A little backwards today –  Day 17: Sing.  Sing a song… make it simple to last your whole life long!  How did that feel?)

I’m so excited to see Maroon 5 this week. So. Excited. Missed them in October, so I made sure I bought tickets early when I found out they were making another stop here. My kids are looking forward to it, too – so much so that we’re jamming along to the albums and practicing on Band Hero.

So, yes, my husband and I are taking them to the concert. It’ll be fine, it’s outdoors… the weather is supposed to be fantastic. I’m just a little worried that they’ll be too tired and miss the songs they want to hear, or the little guy will miss seeing Adam Levine in person. You can’t imagine how angry Ollie gets. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed.

Day 16: Do you create best when your emotions are high?  Do you turn to creative endeavors when you are sad, angry, or just filled with joy?

I used to think I created best under pressure. It’s just that I finish projects under pressure, self-inflicted or not. Creating for me isn’t when emotions are high; inspiration seems pretty random for me. Whatever I’m feeling, when I create, I’m transported, distracted for a little while. I empty my head, and fill my heart. Does that make sense? Then I finish, and voila! – I return to my routine.

So I offer my Maroon 5 inspired art. Music moves me… what better way to get in a creative mood than to immerse myself in their albums? Try it sometime. Listen to your favorite artists and create. Maybe you already do.

Can you guess which songs inspired which pieces? (Click on the thumbnails to zoom.)

All Tangled Up, the “Monster” and last little inchie (number 7)… really like those.

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