Today’s Homemaker

Hello beautiful people. Today is the very first day of the very first ever Carnival of Modern Home Dwelling…welcome! So much work has gone into this, and today I especially want to thank Jen of Bliss Homegoods.

Jen has been kind enough to donate time, shipping costs, and beautiful creations from her shop, and the winner of today’s carnival will be receiving a gift package that will most likely include something from Bliss Homegoods. Jen also blogs over at Welcome Home, so give her a visit! She has become one of my dearest friends in blogland, and I’m so grateful for her support. You should also check out the rest of our very spiffy sponsors. You’ll be meeting more of them throughout the week.

So on with the show! We had so many entries for this category that I’m going to split this up into two posts…the next installment is coming your way later today and will include the overall winner in the Art and Craft category, so don’t miss it!

Crystal from JewelFaerie Creations has turned a couple of old medicine cabinets (at least that’s what they look like to me) into some roomy, chic nightstands. Complete with tutorial!

Beth from Sunberst Illustration & Design has put together an excellent tutorial detailing how to make a linoleum print. Great starter project for anyone wanting to try their hand at printing.

I never intended to feature entire blogs as entries in this carnival, but what else could I do with Marichelle’s lovely homage to all things handmade? I am always marveling at the collages she makes with each and every post, and I wonder…where does she get the time? Regardless, Heart Handmade is an excellent blog featuring indie artists and crafters. The inspiration quotient is extremely high, so be warned!

With everybody wanting to get on the green train, reusable grocery bags are in high demand. The Charlie bag is an adorable free pattern from BurdaStyle that is really, really versatile. And with the lowest difficulty level possible, I bet even I could make it!

Anna from MarmaDaisy promises that these panties are oh-so-easy to make. I don’t know if I believe her (I always pride myself on my healthy bit of skepticism when it comes to such matters) but who can resist a panty tutorial as adorable as this?!

Kate Dixon, a finalist in the design*sponge 2008 diy contest, came up with this wonderful tutorial for do-it-yourself wall sconces.

Felicity Tepper, writer and frequent contributor to wikiHow, shares a podcast on One Minute How-To detailing how to choose embroidery fabric. Besides being a great podcast, I’m in it for the accent. You know how I love British accents (and if it’s not British, forgive my ignorance. I really am a stupid American sometimes.)

Toblerone (yes, that’s her real name! Just kidding) from simple mom has made up an example of this incredibly easy, cheap (and beautiful) artwork that you can do in an afternoon. Or even less! She got the idea from Heidi at Mt. Hope Chronicles. Love it!

Is your frumpy ironing board cover cramping your style? Well. We can’t have that. Condo Blues has an excellent tutorial about using your old ironing board cover as a pattern for a new, way cooler one. Or in this case, hotter.

Jennafer from the Land of Lovings (been there yet?) is apparently a very crafty one. She was able to update her beach chair by using the old fabric as a pattern. Love the blue…so bold.

Come back for the second installment later this afternoon for more entries and to find out who won!