Monster Mania Ebook Review

I've been reading Marie's blog, Make and Takes, for years.  In fact, I remember reading it back when she was still The Stitching Barn.  We finally met in real life earlier this year.  Isn't it great to meet blog friends in real life?  Gotta love it.

This is Marie's latest venture.  It's an eBook called Monster Mania.  For only $7 you get a download of all of these great kid projects (15 in all).  Not only do you get all the projects, but she's included a great master list of craft supplies that will get you through all the projects in the book and that are great to have on hand for all sorts of craft projects. 

Each project also includes a learning objective.  You can see Marie's background in education come through as she helps us with ideas to make these crafts great learning experiences as well--not just as we're making the crafts, but beyond. 

A few of the projects are food based.  I think even I could get my kids to try some Monster Stew. 

The book is available now!  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Teaching Kids to Knit

I have a bag full of 30 skeins of yarn.  I have 13 pairs of new knitting needles.  Today I had some eager grade schoolers ready to learn to knit!  The PTO at one of the local elementary schools contacted me to see if I'd be interested in teaching their after school knitting class.  Apparently she asked a few people if they knew anyone that knit and they all said my name!  I wonder if it is the bumper sticker on the back of my van?  So, I have a bit of a reputation around town. 

I chose a simple project for the kids.  They mentioned that they wanted to make scarves.  I'm a fan of the scarf in theory.  I just don't like to knit them.  I get a bit bored with that kind of project.  But, I am obliging and have a scarf pattern for them to work on.

Teaching kids how to knit isn't easy.  Teaching adults how to knit isn't a walk in the park, either.  It takes practice and so many people get frustrated when their knitting doesn't look the way they would like.   This is a skill.  It needs to be mastered.  But, like I told the kids today, it's a skill that can serve them well. 

I mean, not everyone can make their own scarves--whether they like to or not!

Portable Crafting

For the past several days I've been nursing a sore back.  I haven't been very mobile and just the thought of sitting at a sewing machine has me wishing for pain medication.  It got me thinking about all the crafts I could do while resting my back in bed.  These crafts are not only great for those on bed rest, but for any crafter on the go. 

1. Knitting/Crocheting

This is a great craft for portability.  All you really need is a set of needles (or a hook) and some yarn and you've got hours of crafting pleasure. 

I always have a portable knitting project on hand in my purse or car for those spare moments.  They can really add up and before you know it, you have a completed project!

2. Needlework

Embroidery and cross stitch are fun and (mostly) portable projects.  I wouldn't want to bring an 18" X 20" cross stitch pattern into my bed or try and carry it around in my purse, but for some smaller projects, this is totally feasible. 

The project to the right was a good example.  I did this pattern on a tote bag.  It was perfect to carry around because I could put all of my supplies in the bag while I was working on it! 

  3.  Friendship Bracelets

I can't forget to mention these beauties!  This is the ultimate portable craft!  I started making these when I would ride the bus to school. 

For this craft you need a safety pin and some embroidery floss.  So portable you can fit all of that in your pocket!

4. Drawing/Doodling

I don't really do much drawing but I love to doodle.  With a sketchbook and your favorite pens/pencils, this is an activity that can go anywhere.  I like to sketch out ideas for crafts on paper and while my drawings aren't great, I enjoy doing it. 

What are your favorite portable crafts? 

Stuff I Like. Winning Ribbons at the State Fair.

Since I started taking my crafting seriously several years ago, I've been entering my items in the county and State Fairs.  Part of this is because I am compulsively a bit competitive.  I like to make things, share them, and the chance to win something is just too much to resist! 

This year I was out of town and didn't want to worry about having somebody else deliver my items to the county fair.  So, I didn't get to participate.  I do have an entry (just one!) in the State Fair.  I'll be entering the Drunken Argyle.  In my experience, the most intricate of patterns don't do well with the ribbons.  I've received more first place ribbons for stockinette hats than something that took considerable more skill (I'm not bitter). 

I'm curious if any of you are like me and enjoy winning blue ribbons. 

• Have any of you entered items in your state fairs? 
• Were you happy with the results? 
• Do you craft specifically for the fair or enter items you would have made anyway?
• Do you enter any other items (baked goods, photos)?
• What is your favorite fair food?

I love corn dogs.

Craft Editor Position

Many of you know that I've been the Mom Crafts editor over at Type-A-Mom.  I started there almost a year ago writing a few articles and then becoming the Trying to Conceive editor.  I also did a stint as a managing mom editor for a while but had to let that go once this website and the craft challenge started to take off.  Now that I'm starting to work on Toolulu, there really isn't time for me to put the energy I know the Mom Crafts section deserves. 

The Mom Crafts editor position isn't listed yet as available but they will be accepting applications soon.  If you would like to have an opportunity to get published on a major site, you can find out more information at the Hiring Mom Editors page.  I know this might be just the kind of thing some of you are looking for!  Good luck!

Fabric Storage and Color Mastery

I thought you might want to see the solution I've come up with for how to store my fabric.  I recently "inherited" a large supply of fabric and wanted to get it organized so I can start to use it and see what I have. 

I was inspired by the book, Color Mastery: 10 Principles for Creating Stunning Quilts by Maria Peagler.  I've been reading the book for just over a month, studying and trying to do the lessons. Go figure that I was having a hard time.  I couldn't do the first lesson (the way I wanted to) without having a better handle on my fabric.  Plus, it just makes sense to have them grouped by color. 

The first lesson in the book is to create a color journal.  I have my journal ready to go and I can't wait to start filling it up!  I have so many ideas for projects but choosing colors and fabric is the most difficult part for me.  I'm glad I have this book to hold my hand through the process.  You'll hear more about this book in the weeks to come as I start to tackle some big-ish projects (and some smaller ones) using her methods.

The best part of my newly organized fabric stash is that all of the pieces are folded so uniformly.  I love it!  I folded it just like the Happy Zombie.  It makes me super happy to have everything in there like that. 

But wait!  Let's zoom that picture out a bit.  Did I mention it is a work in progress?

Craft Challenge FAIL

Craft Challenge Voting

I thought I was going to make something super clever and awesome this month for the craft challenge.  I got an idea to make a little magnetic fishing pole with some little felt fish.  We have a cheap plastic version of this toy and I thought I could make something cuter.  I was wrong.

While the idea may have been a good one, the execution was a disaster.  It is ugly and it doesn't even work!  

REMINDER:  If you haven't turned in your craft challenge pictures to me yet, please do so ASAP.  The next round of voting will start around 10pm tonight.  If I don't get any more entries, I'll choose the top vote getters from the first semi-final round and move them on to the final on April 26th. 

Have no idea what all this craft challenge talk is about?  Read the FAQ. 

Want to participate next month?  Buy your packet here.  The deadline for May is April 27th and there are options for 1, 3, 6, and 12 month subscriptions. 

Want to sponsor a prize or some supplies?  Read more about that here. 

Make. Crochet Mollie Flowers Pattern.

There are a million other things I should be doing, but instead I think I'll be making a gazillion of these Mollie Flowers.

image from Roman Sock

Craft Night with the Lincoln Handmade Team

I'm a member of our local etsy team, Lincoln Handmade.  Last night we all got together at my house for a craft night.  We spent most of the evening using the Big Kick, eating, and chatting.   You can read more about it at the Lincoln Handmade blog.  

The Big Kick was the hit of the evening.  I bought mine on sale a couple of months ago at Joann. It is a die cutting machine.  It is great to use with paper, fabric, chipboard, felt, and whatever else you can run through it.   You can make appliques like a dream!  TIP: add your heat n bond to the fabric BEFORE you run it through the machine.  Then you have a ready to iron on shape!

The dies can be purchased at craft stores.  I have a few that are exclusive to Stampin' UP that match their stamp sets.  The dies can get a little expensive.  Most run around $15.  Make sure to use your craft store coupons!  Alphabet and other specialty dies can cost over $100.  We were talking about maybe charging dues for our team and investing in some of these more expensive tools for the good of the group.

This is actually a pretty good price for the Big Kick if you're interested.  Do you have one already?  What are some of your favorite dies?

More Craft Room Storage Ideas

Remember the Q & A post I did about formula cans?  I've got another idea for you.  I used the same technique as before to cover my cans and then we attached them to the wall.  Now I have some little cubbies on the wall next to my sewing machine where I can put notions or snacks.  

I must admit that I did none of the work on these formula cans.  I have staff for that (ha ha)!  I had a helper come over and she did a few tasks for me.  I've never felt so much like Martha Stewart.  She did a great job!   She's also helped me pack up craft challenge packets a few months ago.

 

This next storage idea comes from the people at Univenture.  I was sent some UniKeep binders to try out.    This was another one of those products that my husband wants to steal.  They have so many great applications—not just related to crafting.   I was sent a couple of them and I found so many great uses for them.  This one I used to keep track of my die cut alphabet letters.  Before I had them in one page protector and searching for the right letter was quite the task. 

I like the way this binder lays flat and is able to be closed all the way.  My kids can drop it or turn it upside down and they don't go flying everywhere. 

They are made of 100% recyclable material and are water resistant.  They also come in a variety of sizes and colors.

I already have big plans for one of the other ones I received.  It is going to be for an embroidery project.  I can have my floss, needles, pattern, hoop, etc… all inside one of the binders ready to go!  I can toss it into a bag or just have it sitting next to my favorite chair ready for a quiet evening of crafting. 

I wasn't creative enough to decorate the outside but there are sleeves that you can place paper inside so you can label them and personalize them however you see fit.

They cost not much more than a standard binder, but the convenience of having them close and stack flat are worth the extra money, in my opinion.  Maybe I'll buy some in bulk and my husband can get his office organized as well!  While you're there, check out some of there other great organizational products.

Make. Paper Buildings from The Paper Architect

I wanted to try out a new craft for National Craft Month.  March passed by quickly but I didn't forget about my goal.  I decided to try my hand at becoming a paper architect.  I used the book, The Paper Architect from Potter Craft books.  

The projects looked challenging but accessible because all you need are paper and cutting tools.  The book has templates for all of the projects and you can either cut those directly, or copy them onto cardstock.  I decided to make some copies so I could practice.

 

The Golden Gate Bridge is the first project in the book and is listed as "easy".  It looks a little intimidating with all of the small cuts.  But, I've found that the cutting out isn't as difficult as the folding.  That's why this one was easy because is has few folds.  You can see that my cutting isn't that great.  I need some new blades.  Also, the cardstock I used isn't the best quality.  If I was going to make this for something other than just practice, I would have better cardstock and a new blade.  This took me just over an hour to finish. 

I got a little addicted and decided to move on to another easy project, the Eiffel Tower.  Now that I have the picture cropped and zoomed, I can see all the places I would like to improve.  I used a different sized blade for this one and I should have kept the other one.  I still think it is pretty darn good for my second one, ever. 

The book is really interesting because it includes information about the real life architecture.  If you've got teenagers that you're willing to let use an exacto knife, this might be a good book for them. 

The actual cut-outs are rather small.  I think I'm going to try and make some cards with these on the inside so they will pop up when you open them.  But first, I'm going to practice some more because I really, really want to make this one.

That's The Sagrada Familia cathedral.  It is found in Barcelona in real life.  It is for the advanced paper cutter.  Maybe I should work my way up by completing Chichen Itza or the Parthenon. 

Here's the link again to the book if you think you'd like to try out these projects for yourself! 

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts Winners and Challenge Supplies

Most of the participants of the craft challenge will be receiving their packages today or Monday. Every month I try to come up with some sort of theme. This month I couldn't decide between green, "green", or bling. My birthday is in April and the birthstone is a diamond. I thought it fitting to include a little sparkle this month. Earth Day is also in April so I thought some eco-friendly supplies would be good, as well. Did you know that this felt is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles? I'm really looking forward to what everyone will create using these supplies. If you're interested in learning more about Christy's Craft Challenge, read this page.

And now... to the winners of Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts.

1. The Childers

2. Shel

3. Zach & Hannah Parris

4. Morgana Ross

5. Sarah Crawford

I've contacted the winners via email. This was such great fun. I'm going to compile a post of all the "good things" people came up with in the comments. A lot of clever ideas can be found there. Thanks again to Martha Stewart Crafts for sponsoring this great giveaway!

Q & A Formula Can Crafts

A while ago, Kristi from The Perkins Clan asked me a question for me to answer here on Q & A.  By the time I had gathered some formula cans and started to work on some projects, she had her own flash of inspiration and used some to keep puzzle pieces and toys organized.  I had a few ideas myself and today I'll show you one of the options I came up with.

My kids are of the age now where they are getting the concept of money.  They like to go to the store and buy things.  We're trying to teach them how to save for things and in our family, we tithe 10% of our income.  I wanted a way for them to be able to have a piggy bank where they can divide their money between what they can spend and what they should tithe. 

  The bank I made for my son is beaded.  To help me with the beading, I used the Tool-Light.  More about that later…

I used 12.9 oz formula cans.  You'll want to make sure they are cleaned out and you can rip off the outer paper. 

Cut a strip of paper 4 3/8" X 13 1/2".  This will wrap all the way around.  I didn't have any paper that length so I used a 12 X 12 inch piece and cut an extra 1 1/2 inches to cover the seam.   Just add glue to the wrong side of the paper and then roll the can over the top of it.  Press to get out any air bubbles.  Set aside to dry.

I added a double-sided sticky shape to the can.  Attach one side but leave the red backing on until you're ready to cover it with beads or glitter.  Once you take  it off, you can start placing the beads. 

I used the tool-light to help me with this.  It did an okay job of picking up the beads but it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.  I actually did a better job using my fingers.  I'm going to give tool-light the benefit of the doubt and think that maybe I didn't choose the right project.  However, I don't know if I'll be able to use it again because my husband wants it for his own tool box.  They are well made and come with plenty of batteries so you don't have to worry about the lights going out anytime soon.  If you are a jeweler or are in need of tweezer type tools for your craft, they are worth a look.  The light is such a great bonus!

I made another one for my daughter.  She picked out the paper herself.  I used scissors to cut the coin slots in the lid.  We glued a piece of paper inside the can to separate the two areas.

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I had some pom-pom fringe leftover from the February Craft Challenge.  I think it turned out really well.  I used a ribbon instead of another strip of paper to cover the seam on this bank.

I have a lot more ideas (and cans!) for this Q & A so you'll be seeing more formula can crafts here over the next several days.  Do you have a favorite way to use your leftover cans? 

You have a little while longer to get in on the Martha Stewart book giveaway.  Comment here. 

April Craft Challenge Packets and a Spring Chick

The craft packets are mostly ready to go. I should be able to have them in the mail by the end of the day today. I have a lot of new participants this month so I am even more excited than ever to see what you all create.

This little chick kept me company tonight as I put addresses on all of those envelopes. Isn't she cute? I'm making a brother for her also. I used the pattern I wrote about a few days ago with a few minor details. I found some really great blue eyes that I had to use. I also decided to stitch a beak instead of crochet one. I like the way it turned out.

Did you crochet one yet? It only took me a little over an hour. As always, you can look at the flickr group to see what projects people have made from this site. If you've made something I've featured here, why don't you go on over and share your picture? You can always find the flickr group by clicking on the Share button to the left.

There are still a few days left for the Martha giveaway. Enter here.

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts Review and Giveaway

A few weeks ago, 415 pages full of projects, inspiration, resources, and templates showed up at my home. It would not be an exaggeration to say that I have looked at it at least once a day.

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts is available for purchase now.

The book is divided into subjects with several projects in each. You'll find beading, decoupage, soap making, matting and framing, and even a whole section on glittering. The projects are for all skill levels and interests.

The last 50 pages or so are dedicated to tools, basic techniques, a source and buyer's guide, and templates. They offer the templates online at MarthaStewart.com for quick printing as well. I'm most excited to use the templates to try my hand at dot-painting on china.

If you are lucky enough to live in the NYC area, Martha will be at the Michael's in Westbury, Long Island on Friday, April 3rd at 12pm. She will be there to sign copies of the book and Hannah Milman, one of her crafts editorial directors, will be demonstrating some of the projects.

How would you like to win a copy of the book for yourself? Martha Stewart Crafts has been gracious to offer FIVE copies of the book to be given away to christynelson.net readers. Entering is easy:

1. Comment on this post. Share your own personal "good thing" if you feel inclined. It isn't mandatory. Just make sure you leave an email address, twitter id, or some other way for me to contact you.

2. Tell a friend about the giveaway. You can do this via your blog, twitter, kirtsy, stumble upon, telephone, walking next door, etc... Leave another comment telling me you did that.

You have until 10pm (Central time) Friday, April 3rd to enter. Winners will be posted on Saturday.