Archive for the 'Art and Craft' Category

Carnival of Modern Home Dwelling Day One: Art and Craft, Part II

Published by Sarah Bray on May 14, 2008 in Art and Craft and Carnival of Modern Home Dwelling. 5 Comments

Our first carnival post was bursting at the seams, so I decided to follow it up with a second part so as not to overwhelm. Be sure to scroll all the way down to find out who won in the Art and Craft category!

Alex from Home Life Weekly has a set of free printable thank-you cards for us. The one to my left is my fave.

 

 

 

 

 

Anna from MarmaDaisy has graced us with another wonderful tutorial…this time one for a simple “mouse mat” (known here in the states as a mousepad). Because every little mouse needs its own pad.

 

 

 

Emily from Loria Family Dialogues has put together an apron tutorial that requires 20 minutes and $4 or less to make. So kitschy-cute…you have to love it.

 

 

 

 

Jennafer from the Land of Lovings shows us how to make our own anti-granny recipe box. Looking at Jennafer’s photo, I’m not sure I would eat anything that came out of there…isn’t the skull and crossbones the universal symbol for poison? That’s the fun, you say? Oh yes. Of course!

 

 

Anna from MarmaDaisy sure has been busy with the tutorials…she sends us another one that details how to re-cover a boring old lampshade. I have so many great fabrics I could do this with…my wheels are spinning…

 

 

 

Crystal from JewelFaerie Creations shows us how to pamper our pets in style by making them a pet bed out of an old vintage suitcase. I love the fabric that she chose for this project. I just wish my miniature schnauzer was more…miniature! I’m going to need a biiiiig suitcase.

 

 

 

When I first saw Anna’s tutorial for shoe fresheners, I thought, “Wow. How very useful!” I have a pair of stinky shoes that I just can’t wear socks or hose with. But they’re so adorable, and they just sit in my closet because of their smelliness. Now maybe I can break them out again after making these!

 

 

Awesome Mom has put together a hilarious step-by-step tutorial for making burp cloths. Make sure you read it all the way through…yes, she does manage to eventually finish them amidst the chaos of being a mom!

 

 

 

I just love this little afternoon project that Emily did with her family. Aren’t the little stuffed creatures adorable? Just love ‘em! I’ve nicknamed them stuffies.

 

 

 

 

So…is the anticipation killing you?! It is me! It’s almost time to disclose today’s winner. BUT FIRST. A little note about how I chose them: I just…did. I chose the one I liked the absolute best out of all of the Art and Craft entries. But you must know that I deem every one of these entries amazing, or they wouldn’t have made it into the Carnival in the first place! Next time, perhaps we’ll have a judging panel, but for now, it’s all me. I didn’t want this to be a popularity (or link-ularity!) contest, so that’s why I chose to do it that way this time around.

And the winner is…

Toblerone from Simple Mom for her easy-peasy artwork! “But,” you ask, “What about Heidi? Didn’t she actually come up with the idea in the first place?” Why yes, you’re right. She did. In fact, I think that’s a photo of her work that I posted (sorry for the faux pas, Toblerone! I’ll change that photo post-haste!). So in fact, today we have TWO winners, I am thrilled to say. Please email me your addresses so that I can get your prize packages in the mail (sarahjoy AT todayshomemaker DOT com). And CONGRATULATIONS!

(Oh yes, and don’t forget to visit some of our tres cool sponsors. We love them very much.)

Carnival of Modern Home Dwelling Day One: Art and Craft, Part I

Published by Sarah Bray on May 14, 2008 in Art and Craft and Carnival of Modern Home Dwelling. 12 Comments

Carnival of Modern Home Dwelling

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!

Art and Craft

Published by Sarah Bray on April 24, 2008 in Art and Craft. 0 Comments

Now that I’m not sticking to a specific topic each day, I’m able to have more than 5 topics. An unexpected benefit! Since one of my loves is artsy/crafty things (though I don’t get to them as much as I’d like with my current schedule), I thought I’d share some stuff I’m dying to try in that area today.

I adore this free infant dress pattern by Rae. It looks so surprisingly substantial and professionally done. Of course it might not look that way if I made it, but we can hope.

 

 

 

 

Christy has the cutest tutorial on these little paper flowers that you can make with your kids. They’re made out of little Dixie cups, it looks like. So sweet!

 

 

 

 

Jessica Gonacha has put together a wonderful tutorial on how to make your own herbal facial astringent. It’s a bit time-consuming (you have to wait 10 days for the herbs to infuse into the liquid) but these would make such cute gifts.

 

 

 

Adorable reversible children’s apron with fabric crayon embellishment tutorial from Yetta of LangLangCreations. I love how the apron tie is all one piece.

 

 

 

 

So it’s not just me. Silhouettes/cameos really ARE everywhere right now. Here’s a tutorial on how to make your very own silhouette plaque from Danielle of Thompson Family.

 

 

 

 

Fun stuff! Maybe I’ll be inspired to get some crafty things done, since things have slowed down a bit around here.