November 7, 2012
by Tammy
31 Comments

Pick-A-Stitch Nov.2012 Giveaway

I am thrilled to announce another great giveaway here on the Crafty Princess Diaries. For the rest of November 2012, you have a chance to win a one year subscription to Pick-A-Stitch, which normally retails for $33.90 US.

Here is some information sent to me about how Pick-A-Stitch works:

Pick-A-Stitch™ is the first, and currently only, knitting stitch library you store on your computer. The easy to use software consists of over 130 knitting stitch patterns in a wide variety of styles; cables, lace, textured, bobbles, reversible, edgings and more. Each stitch has a full-color photograph and a color change feature so you can see the stitch in your favorite color. Printable written and charted instructions are included for every stitch, plus you can bookmark your favorites.

The most unique feature of the program is that it is expandable (think iTunes for knitters). New stitches can be added to your library via our stitch subscription program. Six or twelve month subscriptions and back issues are available for purchase. Our subscribers recently received two new categories, Estonian Lace and Estonian Lace Edgings. We plan on adding a Japanese Stitches category in the near future along with pictorials for Japanese knitting techniques that may be unfamiliar to American knitters.

Each month subscribers receive an automatic email with their download code once an issue is released. We have a short video on our website that explains the program features and how the subscription service works. You can find it at www.pick-a-stitch.com

The Pick-A-Stitch™ program retails for $17.95 and is available for immediate download from our website. Back issues are $2.00, six month subscriptions are $8.95 and twelve months are $15.95. Each issue contains 13 to 16 new stitches every month.

To participate, simply answer this questions in the comments below:

What do you enjoy about working with fiber (knitting, crochet, sewing, whatever)?

Post your comment only once in this blog entry and you will get a chance to win. The deadline for entry is November 30th midnight ET. Then during the first few days in December 2012, I will randomly pick one winner. Make sure to include your email address when commenting. I will email the winner who will have 5 days after the drawing to reply back with a mailing address. Anyone who does not reply after 5 days will no longer be eligible to win, and I will draw a new winner.

November 6, 2012
by Tammy
0 comments

Upcycled Crystal Light Container

My husband and I are regular Crystal Light drinkers. As a result, we end up with a couple of empty containers each week. The containers are plastic with a sleeve-style label that easily slips off. The lids snap on and off, so you end up with a reusable container once you have used up all the packets of drink mix.

I have been saving these for month with the idea that I could up-cycle them. So far, I am having mixed results. I’ve tried adding stickers and then covering them with Mod Podge. I’ve also tried decorating paper and also covering it with Mod Podge. When I don’t get bubbles, the paper ends up look the best I think. Here are some photos of how I’ve been experimenting with various crafting ideas to turn the discarded containers into reusable gift boxes.

Cut the paper to size so that it will cover the container.

Use ink and rubber stamps or any number of paper decorating items to decorate the paper. Here is one for Christmas, but I also did a few that say “Happy Birthday.”

Using a foam brush and Mod Podge, adhere the paper to the container. Cover all of it with Mod Podge and let it dry.

Here are some other containers I decorated. For ones that are not totally covered with paper, wrap the gift in a little tissue first and insert that into what is now a “gift box.”

Just a few more…

November 4, 2012
by Tammy
0 comments

Craft Blog Links to Surf

ACreativeDream
Oh look, June is starting the Christmas ornaments… here’s the first part of a two part tutorial making a stamped salt clay ornament.

About Family Crafts
Check out these scarecrow crafts and also submit your crafts made using Scrabble game tiles.

Beading Arts
“Metal Month” comes to an end on Beading Arts, but it leaves with a BANG!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a pattern for crochet granny square earrings, a jigsaw puzzle animal drawing exercise, a tutorial on how to curl your eyelashes, and a recipe for dark chocolate chip multigrain cookies.

Cthulhu Ski Mask and Mittens for Halloween
Cherie crocheted a ski mask and mittens for a Cthulhu costume.

Eileen – The Artful Crafter
Preserving memories with My Memories software is easy as 1-2-3.

November 3, 2012
by Tammy
3 Comments

Hoot! Woot! Amigurumi Owls

The college craft club I advise is getting ready to participate in a holiday craft show that is run by another club at school, so of course, this means we are switching gears from making snuggles (our service project for this semester and a good way for members to learn to knit or crochet) and making items to sell at the show. Proceeds from sales will be donated to the same place we will give the snuggles, Domino’s House, a local no-kill cat shelter.

We received a huge donation of acrylic yarn (lots of Red Heart Super Saver), and so along with snuggles, we are now using it to make small amigurumi items for the show. In the past, I have hesitated to try to get members to attempt amigurumi because it required crocheting in the round, which is not that difficult, but it is also not that easy for someone who basically learned to crochet a few weeks ago. As it happens, however, this semester we have a group who is really into the yarn and are very eager to learn. A few have really taken off with it, so I think they are ready. Plus, I figure if I at least make the parts and pieces, those whose crochet skills are not up to it, can still help with finishing them such as gluing on noses, eyes, stuffing them, etc.

I am starting off with this adorable little owl pattern by Ana Clerc called Owls Two Ways because she has instructions for knitting or crocheting them. It is a free pattern available here through Ravelry.com. These are crazy easy and quick to make and take very little yarn. For my first finished one (pictured at top), I used buttons for the eyes, but I also have some googlie eyes we can use that you just glue on. I’m hoping that considering we are selling these at a college craft show, that owls will be kind of popular. I also plan to attempt some of these mini-amigurumi animals from a Lion Brand pattern.

October 30, 2012
by Tammy
0 comments

Premie Hats and Baby-Ghan

I just finished making a few premie-sized baby hats a a baby afghan for a friend of mine whose new grandson came early, as in too early. He is now up to four pounds and headed home, but she asked me for some hats because the ones from the hospital were too large.

I already had the baby afghan in the works for him (it was going to be a surprise), and so it was no big deal to whip up a few little hats. And they are just so tiny! Every time I make premie items it freaks me out a little to think even a baby can be that small.

I used mainly Bernat Baby Softee yarn, which I had plenty of in my stash. The baby afghan is primarily alternating rows of double crochet and treble crochet with a single crochet and then half-double crochet border.

October 29, 2012
by Tammy
0 comments

Extreme Origami Book Review

Quayside Publishing Group sent me a copy of a new book published in October 2012 called Extreme Origami: Transforming Dollar Bills into Priceless Works of Art by Won Park. This is a hard cover book with 144 pages and over 1,000 illustrations. It retails for $25 US; $28 CAN; and L16.99 UK. I think the word “extreme” describes this book perfectly because this is not for your casual paper crafter in any way.

The projects are fairly involved though all of them are basically built around the idea of folding US paper money into amazing shapes using various folding techniques. The author suggests that you first try with larger pieces of paper that are the same scale as the money because it is easier to learn the folds that way, and there are a few important folds you need to master before jumping into the projects as well. Along with written instructions, there are illustrations to go with each one. For example, the butterfly requires a total of 27 steps. From pigs to tanks to toilets, you can fold paper money into just about any form it seems.

This is one of a number of books I’ve received recently to review, and I had a feeling my husband would find it interesting. I was right. He is fascinated with the intricate folding techniques used in the book. I also appreciate them, of course, but he is determined now to attempt some of them. Maybe it is a “guy” thing, but he loves this book. Take note for anyone looking for a guy-friendly craft-related gift.

Is this a book for your library or the perfect gift for a friend? To help you determine that, the publisher has let me load up some sample pages from Extreme Origami. Feel free to download them and enjoy.

October 28, 2012
by Tammy
0 comments

A Few Craft Links for You

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a chance to score yourself a copy of the new book Extreme Origami, tutorials on how to paint a pumpkin and bell pepper and draw skeleton hands and feet, and a recipe for a “Corpse Reviver Cocktail.”

CreativeDream
How about a needlepoint witch hat? June has the instructions just waiting for you!

Dr. Who Toile Chair Makeover
Cherie uses Dr. Who toile fabric to remake old kitchen chairs.

Eileen – The Artful Crafter
Eileen used chain maille started by her mother over 50 years ago in this sterling silver Two Generations of Hope bracelet design.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has had the opportunity to review some amazing new fabric and quilting books recently!

October 27, 2012
by Tammy
0 comments

Hand-Spun Yarn Prize Arrives!

A swishy, soft bundle arrived in the mail on Friday, this gorgeous hand-spun yarn that I won from the Knitty Natter Podcast. It is 168 yards and made of 40% Shetland, 40% Merino, and 20% silk. I love the colors (which are not really showing up that great in the photo) as well as the texture. I am not sure what I will make with it yet, but it will be something for me for a change!

October 27, 2012
by Tammy
0 comments

CFP & Photographs for Literary Journal

The Indian River Review is currently soliciting submissions for its second issue slated for publication in late spring/summer 2013. The theme for this issue is “Memory.” The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2012. Genres include short fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, critical essays, black and white photography, and book reviews. See formatting and submission instructions below.

Submission and Formatting Guidelines

All work is peer reviewed. The journal accepts only electronic submission, no hard copies. Do not send simultaneous submissions. Please follow the requirements listed below for all submissions:

Text files must be sent as .doc, .docx, or .rtf email attachments.
Photography files must be sent as .tiff or .jpg email attachments.
Send short fiction attachments to hraulers@irsc.edu.
Send poetry attachments to ariddles@irsc.edu.
Send creative non-fiction and photography attachments to tpowley@irsc.edu.
Send critical essays and book review attachments to smallone@irsc.edu.
Text-based submissions must use 12 point font and correct MLA format.
Short fiction, creative non-fiction, and critical essays are limited to 4,000 words.
Book reviews are limited to 1,000 words.
In your email, make sure to include your full name, phone number, address, institutional affiliation (if you have one), and the title(s) of the work you submit.
In your email, include a 50 to 100 word author biographical paragraph.
Send no more than 5 submissions for poetry.
Send no more than 10 submissions for photographic pieces.

Please make sure to spend time proofing and editing your text submissions before sending them. Authors may even want to consider asking a friend to read the work first to help make sure an error free submission is sent. Submissions with incorrect grammar or misspellings may be automatically excluded from the review process. Those submissions that are accepted must be open to receiving minor editorial corrections. Also see the journal’s Agreement between Publisher, Editor, and Contributor.

Payment upon publication will include one copy of The Indian River Review.

See the journal’s weblog for more information: http://theindianriverreview.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/2012-2013-submission-guidelines/

October 25, 2012
by Tammy
2 Comments

What to Knit When Your’e Expecting Book Review

A few weeks ago, I received a review copy from Running Press of a new knitting book out called What to Knit When You’re Expecting: Simple Mittens, Blankets, Hats & Sweaters for Baby. The book retails for $20 US/ $23 Canadian. It is written by Nikki Van De Car who explains in the introduction that she developed many of the designs while she was expecting her daughter, and then later, she developed more as friends and family members also had babies. The 30 patterns in the book are items the author feels are wearable, pieces that you will pull out over and over again for your baby to wear and for you both to enjoy. This does not necessarily mean there are only practical designs in the book. For example, one project includes an adorable little tutu-style skirt.

In fact, that word…”adorable”….pretty much describes every single project in this book! Of course, what is not to love when it comes to tiny sweaters, baby bloomers, and little booties? The projects are organized by trimester so that projects that take more time (like baby afghans) can be started early on and finished in plenty of time for the baby. The second trimester section has more gender specific patterns (like the tutu mentioned) because by then you might know if you are having a boy or girl. Finally, the third trimester section has the smaller and simpler project in it.

I have really enjoyed browsing through the patterns, mainly because the photographs are so nice. Each pattern has at least one photograph of the entire finished piece (sometimes more than one) as well as close ups so you can see details, such as the lace-like trim on a pair of bloomers. While there are a few challenging projects in the book, there are also plenty of burp clothes, hats, and afghans that are a little less involved as far as knitting skills.

The front matter of the book does have some basics on knitting, but I would not expect anyone to learn how to knit using just these few pages, even though they do have instructions and illustrations. However, there is a handy size chart and some other general information that is helpful. One note on the yarn – she does not use any acrylic. Now some will cheer at this and some will gasp, but her reasoning is that for her the washing isn’t that big of a deal (she explains how she does it for her baby’s hand-knits), and she gets the benefit or working with yarn that feels great and also feels good on her baby’s skin. Of course, for those who want super easy wash and wear, I see no reason why all of these patterns could not be made with acrylic.

Before I end, I have to do the math as usual. Okay, so a $20 book (which of course is cheaper on Amazon if you check out my links above) and 30 projects means .67 a project. If you enjoy knitting baby items or if you have wanted to start, this is a bargain book with very wearable and cute (even adorable) patterns that I can’t see any knitter not enjoying and using regularly.

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