Tag Archives: crafts

Craft Product Review and Giveaway: Needle Felting Kit

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Now that Halloween is over, are people onto Thanksgiving or are most people skipping it all together and going straight to Christmas? I know, I love Christmas too, but with Thanksgiving there are so many projects on my “to-do list”. Check it out. Aren’t these needle felting kits cute? They’re from Dimensions Needlecrafts. I love the woodland animal feel of the hedgehog and pony.

I’m working on this little guy:

The kit comes with step-by-step directions, 100% wool (all the amount you need), two felting needles, and a felting mat. In some kits you’ll also have embroidery thread, an embroidery needle, molds and/or stencils. If you’ve never felted before, this intro video by Dimensions shows the basics.

I thought this would be a fun project for me and my daughter, but 1) she thought it took too long, and 2) I was nervous about her using the felting needle. It’s sharp!  And because it has small barbs near the point, you can imagine that you don’t want to stick yourself accidentally. I have to say, the wool feels nice and is workable into a firm felt shape. The felting mat is a nice quality – think dense foam. I’ve seen some felting mats that look like hair brushes. Not sure how that works out. The mat gives a nice surface and lessens the chances of sticking yourself.

Felting needle comes with cover

So, I would say this particular kit is not exactly for kids (though my daughter is ten years old and a pretty darn good crafter). The instructions are very easy to follow… felting just takes time. We’re not quite done with our project yet.

So, make some time, grab one of these kits at your local craft store or online at Dimensions Needleworks for $10-$25, OR (and I’m so excited to share this!) enter to win one of the kits I’ve shown here! I’m so thankful for all the support this year from friends and readers… let’s kick of November with a giveaway! I have one hedgehog kit, one snowman kit and one pony kit to give away to three readers.

  • Snowman and hedgehog kits retail value, $9.99; Pony kit retail value, $24.99.
  • Prizes furnished by Dimension Needleworks (EKSuccess Brands™).

Just follow below for chances to win one of these needle felting kits! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  • This giveaway is in no way affiliated, administered or endorsed by Facebook.
  • Please provide your email address so that I can contact you if you win.
  • One kit will be given to one winner, three winners total. No specific kit requests will be honored.
  • Winner(s) will be notified by email on 11/10/2012 and will need to respond within 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.
  • Winner(s) must be 18 years of age or older and a US citizen in order to win.
  • International shipping charges may apply.
  • Winner(s) are responsible for paying any necessary taxes on winnings.
  • Alternate entry email: jtiu@comcast.net with entry information.
  • All prizes will be mailed by Julie Tiu and Dimensions Needlecraft will not be held responsible if the prize is not fulfilled.
  • A list of winners may be requested after the giveaway has ended. Questions and additional information can be requested by emailing: jtiu@comcast.net.

P.S. I feel like I ought to apologize for not sharing Halloween projects with you.  I admit, I didn’t visit the craft store once before Halloween. It’s just never been a huge holiday for my family, but I’m happy to report that my sort-of-anti-Halloween daughter has turned a new leaf and had lots of fun with her girl pals last night. As for my son, he brought in a haul! His friend and he had a great time trick-or-treating.

 

Candy Corn inspired DIY ideas for Fall and Halloween

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As if I (we) need more things to do… but how can you not like these Candy Corn inspired projects?

Candy Corn non-alcoholic Jello Shots

Candy Corn Pillowcase Dress from The Ribbon Retreat blog

Candy Corn Felt Sachets. You can also do a large scale drawstring backpack (at ikatbag.com).

Candy Corn Trick or Treat Bags at Purl Bee

Source: purlbee.com via Juliet on Pinterest

And if I could knit… Candy Corn Mittens!

Craft Book Review: Desire to Inspire

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I picked up “Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World” by Christine Mason Miller (2011, published by North Light Books) this summer after spying it in a picture… in a magazine. (Keen eyes, eh?) I thought, “That looks interesting.” Actually, the magazine article was about Miller’s creative space – I wish I had that creative space. Rephrase: I’m wishing and hoping that I get my act together to make a creative space.

Miller brings together a body of artists, creative writers, entrepreneurs to showcase the ways we can impact the world through sharing and making art – nineteen contributors plus the author, in all. The book intertwines stories, exercises for the reader, and includes pull-out inspirational quotes.

The personal quotes, photos, original artwork… beautiful and nicely organized. Sometimes I found the book theraputic, sometimes as an art journaling manual, helping corral your thoughts on paper, artistically. Sometimes, I just found myself drooling at the pictures. I used to journal like the one in the picture below.

You might think it’s a “new age” book… not spiritual, but it kind of is. All the contributors speak of their creative passions… sharing them to inspire others.

This book would be great, not just for all you creative types, but for those of you who want to be creative but don’t think you are… does that make sense? Everyone’s creative – just different levels. It doesn’t have to be all paint, drawings, sewing, paper and scrapbooking. The book helped me take time to rediscover, review qualities that I sort of know are there, but just haven’t thought about in a while… I found the book at a good time when I was talking to my husband about using my talents to help others, to do good.

“Being of service to others starts with being exactly who you are. The world needs your gifts.” – Jamie Ridler

Craft Book Review: The Star Wars Craft Book

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The Star Wars Craft Book | project-in-progress

“Dedicated to Geeky Craftsters everywhere. May the glue gun be with you!”

I received The Star Wars Craft Book by Bonnie Burton (Del Rey, 2011, 156 pgs.) as a Christmas gift last year. Galactic ideas here. Clever projects use material you can probably find around your house, and if not, they aren’t too pricey. Like usual, I devoured the book and earmarked some projects, (like this R2-D2 beanie!), but only recently started my first project.

If only I knew how to crochet…

I found the book tone very casual unlike a Martha Stewart craft book – very precise. That’s not a bad or good thing… just an observation. The patterns for all the projects are located at the back of the book and online (if you don’t want to cut up your book, or need to copy and enlarge the patterns).

Jar Jar in-progress

My son asked me for Jar Jar Binks Jedi Mind Trick Doll. Not my first choice. My husband asked him if he might like some other project: the Bith Band puppets, a Bantha… maybe Han Solo in Soaponite. Nope.

“Jar Jar. Because he’s cute.”

One issue with the Jar Jar project material list: red felt is missing. You need it for Jar Jar’s tongue. The directions are easy to follow, but the directions fail to include a step for the arms. They are included in the pattern.

So as of this post, the project is in-progress. Since I didn’t have any felt on hand, I decided to use what I had: cotton and some flannel. I always seem to drift away from patterns (craft apron), directions (t-shirt quilt) and recommended materials. They’re just suggestions, right?

I’ll post the finished project as an update… and, would this book be a welcome addition to the Geek Crafter in your life? Yes, yes it would. It’s fun for the whole family, it’s fun if you’re a Star Wars fan… just plain fun!

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