Craftside

Fun fact from the book The Quilt and Crafty Blogger links

Fun fact from the book The Quilt: A History and Celebration of an American Art Form.

It is believed that the word "calico" is derived from the word "Calcutta"

Aileen's Musings
Aileen's excited to share her first how to video called Ribbon's & Lace. Take a quiet moment, grab a cuppa and stop by and see what its all about.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy is learning more every day when it comes to her Etsy shop, like the importance of tags and the number of items you should list, but it's definitely a work in progress.

About Family Crafts
Is getting to be that time of year when people get out more whether it be day trips, camping trips, or gathering with friends and family and having picnics and barbecues! Find out how you can incorporate crafting into your camping and picnic fun. 

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside's got a hot new Look. Learn, and Create video featuring Barbe Saint John showing us how to make a Steampunk hair pin, a free bow graphic download, how to add words to a journal page and a bow, and an inside peek into 1000 ideas from 100 Fashion Designers. 

Cross Stitch at About.com
Read loads of great tips on Cross Stitch and then share your own - what tips and tricks have you learned that keep you out of tight spots? 

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares her Zen Master Slacker Mommy's Guide to Letting Things Ride. 

Mixed Media Artist
Can you ever have too much fabric? Cyndi thinks not! Come and add your favorite link to Cyndi's favorites.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
How to make a recycled sweater gearhead hot pad inspired by the book- The Journal Junkies Workshop

The Artful Crafter
Advice on selling large lots of craft supplies.

Craftside's Look, Learn & Create video series: Ribbon bracelet with Elaine Schmidt

Do you like incorporating ribbons in your jewelry? Well then sit back and watch this fun Craftside Look, Learn and Create video as Elaine Schmidt, author of The Complete Photo Guide to Ribbon Crafts, shows us how to make ribbon lanyard style bracelets with a box stitch.

Like this and want more ribbon crafts? Grab a copy of:

The Complete Photo Guide to Ribbon Crafts:
Over 700 Photos - Bows - Flowers - Embroidery - Weaving - Jewelry - Fashion - Décor - More

By

Elaine Schmidt

The Complete Photo Guide to Ribbon Crafts provides a reference for all kinds of crafts that involve ribbon. It includes step-by-step photographed instructions for a wide range of techniques as well as projects to accompany each area of ribbon crafting. This is a comprehensive guide as compared to most books on ribbon crafts that are specific by technique or end result (ribbon flowers, silk ribbon embroidery, making bows).

This book explores a wide range of techniques and end products, using all kinds of ribbon, making it an essential reference for all craft enthusiasts. It includes ideas and projects for scrapbooking, home décor, general crafting, and fashion!

Elaine Schmidt is a freelance designer, consultant, educator and spokesperson in the craft and hobby industries. She is the former design coordinator for a chain of ribbon boutiques and has developed award-winning product concepts for several manufacturers. Elaine’s original designs are featured in a variety of books, magazines, project sheets and TV segments. Elaine enjoys teaching, demonstrating and thinking up new project ideas that make sewing and crafts fun and easy. Elaine lives in Long Valley, NJ and loves being surrounded by her growing stash of ribbons, fabric, buttons, beads and all the “fun stuff.”

A free bow pattern from the new book and cd - Experimental Pattern Sourcebook: 300 Inspired Designs from Around the World By Jackie Herald

Let's just call this the "Wrap-up Week." On Tuesday I posted my quote bow project, and today I have a free giveaway of a bow print. "Let's tie one on!"

How cool would it be to use this copyright free print from the eye-candy filled book Experimental Pattern Sourcebook to wrap a present with? There are 50 more to work with and use in your creativity.

Want to see more of the 300 inspiration prints from lots of designers? Pop on over to the book:

Experimental Pattern Sourcebook:

300 Inspired Designs from Around the World

By

Jackie Herald

This collection features 300 designs from the newest generation of pattern designers who are experimenting with new formats to create the most eclectic and inspiring collection of patterns in a single volume. Many designers are fusing hidden messages in their pattern designs which ultimately show up in a diverse range of materials, such as textiles, clothing, food, and nature. This book features patterns from a diverse range of designers from all over the globe who are pushing the boundaries of textiles and printed materials. The patterns featured are delightful and unexpected.

Jackie Herald is a much published author and broadcaster on design. She writes and lectures on environmental design, textiles, fashion and craft to a wide range of audiences. The Extra Room, is based in London—where she combines writing with design consultancy and broadcasting.

#156-160 of 1000 Ideas by 100 Fashion Designers by Carolina Cerimedo

I really think that 1000 Ideas by 100 Fashion Designers should be called

2000 Ideas

because you get both the 1000 inspiring words and 1000 pictures!

Like this page:

 

Click on the image to enlarge and read what Carolin Lerch of Pelican Avenue has to say to inspire you.

My personal favorite:

#160-Good Habits. Fantasy and open-mindedness, self-criticism, endurance, and self-assertion.

I really like this combo and I think it makes a lot of sense when you make a living being creative.

Like these 10 bits of inspiration? To get 1998 more (in my humble opinion) grab yourself a copy of:

1000 Ideas by 100 Fashion Designers

By

Carolina Cerimedo

Fashion isn't art. The latter can just be admired, while the first needs to be sold. How do designers create constant objects of desire? In this book, 100 designers give 1,000 tips on what it takes to be a great fashion designer. These tips address a number of issues: flare inspiration, collection concept, the promise of clothing, the use of fabrics, and more. New talents and renowned names provide insights and ideas for both expert and up-and-coming designers.

Carolina Cerimedo studied Media and Fine Arts in Argentina and received her Master’s degree in Fashion Communication in Barcelona, Spain.

For more inside peeks that include a list of the designers, pop on over to Amazon's listing of 1000 Ideas by 100 Fashion Designers, available for pre-ordering.

How to add words to a journal page from the book Creative Wildfire by L.K. Ludwig

I have to say that adding words to my journal pages is one of my big challenges. This page from Creative Wildfire comes to the rescue.

I again found myself staring at the pretty plain white surface of another cool Sizzix die cut. This time it was the strips that make up a bow. I voraciously collect quotes and so this page was really helpful in solving my problem of figuring out a fun use for my quotes and how to get them on the strips of paper.

I used the suggestions of gel pens, my normal handwriting, and sort of just going crazy with my letter shapes and sizes. I also played with the spacing and threw in a bit of background markers.

I assembled the bow using a standard gold paper brad. I kind of liked it on top of this recycled cigar box. I now have another thing that holds some of my latest favorite quotes.

This is the final design in the Sizzix die cut challenge. You can vote for your favorite bow design at www.eileenhull.blogspot.com; it will enter you to win the Sizzix die!

Want more great ideas to "spark your creative fire?" Grab a copy of:

Creative Wildfire:

An Introduction to Art Journaling -- Basics and Beyond

By

L.K. Ludwig

Art journaling is a vital activity for artists who need a place to experiment, draw, paint, document ideas, and continue an interior dialog. This lush, visual book is a must-have volume for both beginning and experienced art journalers. Each chapter presents crucial, basic information for how to get started, and is layered with in-depth sidebars and activities covering advanced techniques, approaches to working, as well as interviews with well-known journaling artists. The book comes with a beautiful blank journal in a take-along size (made from paper upcycled from the printing process), ready to catch your daily inspirations.

L.K. Ludwig creates art and chases her three small children around in a Victorian Four-square in a very small town (pop. 4,023) in western Pennsylvania. She is the author of Mixed Media Nature Journals, True Vision, and Collaborative Art Journals and Shared Visions in Mixed Media. She teaches workshops throughout the U.S. and maintains her blog at http://gryphonsfeather.typepad.com.