The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog

January 7, 2016
by Tammy
3 Comments

Taylor – Another Knit Shawl on the Needles

It’s not really a resolution for the new year but more of a continuation of learning to knit. I have to admit that I could happily make garter stitch shawls and scarves forever, but that would mean I would not learn to knit beyond the basics. So I’m taking a baby step and working on a shawl pattern that has lots of garter but a little bit more than that. The pattern is “Taylor,” from designer Jennifer Lysen. It’s a free pattern, so so far, I think I’m getting the hang of it. I like how it is a long shawl that could sort of work like a scarf too.

I’ve dipped into the “good stuff” as far as yarn goes, using a colorway called “Puppy,” from Expression Fiber Arts’ line of Resilient Superwash Merino Sock yarn. I have already made a number of mistakes but have managed to learn to pull out stitches and rework them. When I get frustrated, I keep reminding myself that it’s about the process, not the product!

January 2, 2016
by Tammy
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New Craft Links for the New Year

Atmos Flare 3D Pen Review

Are you intrigued by tools for 3D drawing? Sarah got to try out a fun 3D pen, though she found it to have a steep learning curve.

Scarfutopia

Here’s a quick video review of this free knitting pattern.

Altered Binder to Store & Enjoy Your Mail Art Collection

Tall binder rings of an old Franklin Planner binder accommodate a lot of bulky pages while leaving them easy to flip.

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s Beading to Be Done!

There’s nothing like a brand new beautiful calendar to encourage you to express your creative hopes and dreams for the new year. Jean has hers for 2016–you can get one, too! She will show you where!

December 27, 2015
by Tammy
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Craft Links Time

Art Bead Scene

Mary shares some super-fun holiday earrings!

Chalkboard Paint Wine Bottles

Save up your empty bottles and have fun creating arrangements of chalkboard paint wine bottles. This was such a fun project that Eileen plans to make lots more after the holidays.

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!

Jean reviews a great book to start the New Year: Learn to Make Bead Jewelry, With 35 Fabulous Projects, by Lynn Davy. Happy 2016!

Join and Win, Maybe

Join the Crafty Princess Dairies Ravelry group and chat it up with fellow crafters. Plus enter to win the monthly FOs drawing.

December 20, 2015
by Tammy
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Freebie Craft Projects, Tips, and More

Stitch Gingy

So, you can’t catch the Gingerbread man, but you sure can stitch him! The latest free chart from Connie Gee’s Designs will make a great pillow or ornament depending on the count of the fabric used.

Alcohol Ink Ornaments

These gorgeous alcohol ink ornaments require nothing more than alcohol inks, compressed air, clear glass ball ornaments and a sense of humor.

Beading Arts

It’s not too late to make a few more jewelry pieces for gift-giving!

Art Bead Scene

Check out Erin’s adorable Hoots’ Family Reunion! So cute!

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!

Mastering Beadwork by Carol Huber Cypher is a must-have beadwork book for all avid beaders! See Jean’s review of this classic, and consider it for a holiday gift. Everyone will love it!

Another Amigurumi Tip

When you put together all the parts of your crochet toy, it is time to commit!

December 19, 2015
by Tammy
2 Comments

Share Your Crafts & Goals


Come join my Crafty Princess Diaries Ravelry group and share your finished crafted objects as well as your crafting goals for 2016. I have a Finished Objects thread open for December 2015, and there are going to be multiple prizes drawn after the month ends, including some free knit and/or crochet patterns. Plus, there is a new thread asking about your personal crafting goals for the new year. All types of crafters are encouraged to participate and join in the fun. You don’t have to be a yarn only crafter!

December 17, 2015
by Tammy
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Coloring Ocean Mandalas

Ulysses Press sent me a review copy of Coloring Ocean Mandalas: 30 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation, a followup to Coloring Dream Mandalas also by the same author, Wendy Piersall. Like the previous publication this also retails for $10 US ($11.95 CAN). Along with her very popular series of adult coloring books, Piersall has also started a YouTube channel where she shows her own processes for coloring, and she invites her fellow coloring enthusiasts to share their colored pages with her through various social media such as Instagram.



This latest book in her series has 30 pages to color, all with beautiful images from the sea like mermaids, whales, and shells. Each coloring page in the book is one sided so that you don’t have to worry about colors bleeding through. Some include inspirational nautical themed sayings as well.

Below is one of her videos where Piersall shows how she likes to color her hand-drawn designs.