The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog

May 31, 2015
by Tammy
0 comments

Crafting Links to Share

Honey Inspired Jewelry

See what Andrew and the other participants of the Sweet Honey Challenge created!

Art Bead Scene

Check out what Erin has selected for our perfect pairings this week

Amigurumi Cuteness

Princess Knits is hanging out her shingle, which includes some adorable bunnies and bears.

Marshmallow Clay Recipe & Information

Clay artist Eva Stosic has taken the term marshmallow clay to a new level and uses real marshmallows in her air-dry marshmallow clay recipe!

Glass Cobalt Bottle Flowers

Cherie makes some glass garden flowers out of cobalt bottles and bowls.

Beading Arts

If you’re looking for gifts for anyone this spring, Cyndi has a review of a brand new book from the editors of BeadStyle magazine. It’s got some of the best beginner projects and instruction you’ll find anywhere!

May 25, 2015
by Tammy
0 comments

Book Review: 50 Garter Stitch Gifts to Knit



50 Garter Stitch Gifts to Knit: The Ultimate Easy-to-Knit Collection Featuring Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted is a collection of projects assembled by the editors of Sixth and Spring that showcase the yarns from the Universal Yarn company. This book sells in the US for $19.95 and in Canada for $22.95, and it is 144 pages in length.

Each of the fifty projects in this book has two to three color photographs, including one of the entire finished project plus one or two close-up or sectional type photographs to enable you to see the stitches more closely or to see specific details of a project. The skill level of each project is indicated by a key with either 1, 2, 3, or 4 rectangular shapes filled out indicating beginner, easy, intermediate, and experienced. I did not see any for beginners. Most are either easy or intermediate level projects.

The variety of projects seems to include just about everything from baby sweaters to accessories to home decor items. With fifty projects and the price point being around $20, that works out pretty well on a per project cost basis, and I think most items would appeal to the intermediate to advanced knitter. The back of the book includes brief instructions on knitting basics, but this is really a project-based book designed for someone who has taken a step beyond knitting basics. In other words, I would not recommend someone try to learn to know with this book and no other resources.

I was surprised to see color work and even a doll project in here. Garter stitch seems so limiting, but clearly that does not have to be the case. One item to keep in mind is that since these are geared toward garter stitch, most of the finished projects are on the thicker side, heavy shawls and hats. I saw plenty of projects here that would be good for gift giving but also for making and keeping.

(I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.)

May 24, 2015
by Tammy
0 comments

Book Review: The Art of Weaving



The Art of Weaving was originally authored by Else Regensteiner in 1970, and since then it has been revised a number of times. Most recently, this book is in its fourth revision. It is published by Schiffer Publishing and retails in the US for $34.99.

At a little over 200 pages, this is a very large reference book, obviously designed for the serious weaver or someone who wants to intently study the craft. It takes a comprehensive approach, first starting with weaving equipment, then yarns, then important technique information such as warp and weaving patterns.

As weaving has started to become more popular in recent years, it is nice to see this book is updated and available again. I found it to be very thorough and easy to find information. It is packed full of photographs and diagrams. There is a 12 page color insert in the first part of the book, and admittedly, it would have been nice to see more of this (color photographs) throughout the book.  The lack of color and general format gives the text an overall dated look. However, the subject matter is really timeless, and it nice to see that this information is being preserved and passed on.

(A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.)

May 23, 2015
by Tammy
0 comments

WWW Craft Links

Art Bead Scene

Check out Claire’s art bead picks to get your juices flowing for our May challenge!

Glass Garden Mushrooms

Cherie brings up an oldie but popular post on her blog about glass garden mushrooms.

Connie Gee’s Designs

Connie shares a recent finish along with information about where you can find the pattern and what she used to complete it.

Surviving Disney & Comforting Crochet

Crafty Princess talks a little about the Disney cruise she went on recently and the comfy crochet baby afghan she is working on.

Blocky Layout Makeover: Scrapbooking Outside the Box

Eileen took a layout from blocky to eye-catching with a makeover of a scrapbook page commemorating those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.

Beading Arts

When you come up with a good design, it’s nice to be able to modify it for use in other pieces!

May 20, 2015
by Tammy
0 comments

Yarn Love by Mail



I fell off my yarn diet wagon just a little with the recent Expression Fiber Art free skein sale. The skein on the far right is 100% silk shimer fingering in the French Macron colorway (and yes it feels like butter); in the middle is her “resilient” super wash merino sock yarn in the Kismet colorway; and then my free skein is “refined” 50/50 merino/silk fingering in the Row of Tulips colorway.

Now to spend countless hours deciding what to make with them!