Craftside

How to make a variable star quilt block and win Downton Abbey fabric, Sizzix dies and Quilters book

Do you love quilting, die cutting, fabric and books? Well you can get yourself in the running for a signed copy of Quilters, Their Quilts, Their Studios, Their Stories: With Access to More than 80 Online Quilt Patterns , Downton Abby Fabric, and Sizzix dies used to make a Variable Star Quilt Block.

Here is a video on how to make the Variable Star quilt block.

And the blog post: http://blog.sizzix.com/sizzix-quilting-fabric-friday-watch-win-variable-star-block

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Craftside Goody Giveaway: Books, Calendars, Notecards and BIC Markers

I have a super fun goody giveaway to keep your creativity cookin' throughout this year!

This Craftside goody giveaway includes:

The new books:

Playing With Sketches: 50 Creative Exercises for Designers and Artists by Whitney Sherman and Illustration School: Let's Draw Magical Color by Sachiko Umoto

To keep track of all that is going on in your life:

A Shoegasm 2014 Wall Calendar and A London Underground Poster Desk Diary 2014

A pack of our new Inspire Notecards Artwork by Sarah Ahearn Bellemare

And what is the perfect complement for illustrating and sketching?

Why, a fabulous new set of 36 BIC Fine Point Permanent Markers.

Leave a comment in to day's post by March 8th.

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It's not just about the fun-packed giveaway today. I also have a fun, creative exercise called Entopic Graphomania from Playing With Sketches: 50 Creative Exercises for Designers and Artists to share with you.

Click on these pages from Playing With Sketches: 50 Creative Exercises for Designers and Artists to enlarge and read all about this connect the letter technique. I had such a great time with it.

More about the Rockport book:

Playing With Sketches: 50 Creative Exercises for Designers and Artists

by Whitney Sherman

Drawing is the backbone of art and design; with all of the tantalizing wonders of the digital world, the best designers, illustrators and artists know that it’s good to step back occasionally and hit the refresh button on your hand and mind.

 

Playing With Sketches is a hands-on, fun approach to exploring drawing principles. Beginning with an introduction to the philosophy of learning through the process of play, this book brings you through a series of basic warm-up exercises that can be combined with later projects.

 

Then you’ll move quickly on to more challenging and engaging exercises, including word games, dimensional shapes, and inventive sketchbooks and letterforms, eventually creating a “toolkit” of ideas and skills developed through the process of play.

 

This book features creative, adaptable ideas, and numerous examples of designers and artists responses to each exercise, giving you a peek into their way of thinking and seeing.

With over 25 contributors, from high-profile designers, illustrators and artists to talented graduate students, you see work that will walk you step-by-step through a process or inspire by example. The book provides meaningful outcomes for your practice, including building an image archive, being exposed to new ways to use media and tools, inspiring you to break the rules, to collaborate, and much more!

 

Award-winning illustrator Whitney Sherman was trained as a photographer, held positions as an advertising art director, publications designer, and VP/Creative Director before focusing on illustration as proprietor of Whitney Sherman Illustration. Sherman has taught both graphic design and illustration, and was undergraduate Chair of Illustration for ten years before becoming Director of the MFA in Illustration Practice program at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore. In addition, she is Co-Director of Dolphin Press & Print @ MICA, and owner of Pbody Dsign which produces limited edition illustrated housewares. She is nationally represented by Gerald & Cullen Rapp, Inc., New York.

www.whitneysherman.com/

 

How to Fold an Envelope from the Book The Origami Artist's Bible

We all give gifts and cards to others; why not make your own cute origami envelope out of wrapping paper? This origami envelope tutorial from the book The Origami Artist's Bible would be cute for a card or cd that you want to match the gift wrap with the envelope.

Click on these pages from The Origami Artist's Bible to enlarge and follow the tutorial on how to fold an origami envelope.

More about the Chartwell book:

The Origami Artist's Bible

by Ashley Wood

This hardcover book with internal wire-o binding is 6.5in x 8in, a perfect size for readers to keep handy and reference often. The stylish design of this book, along with the interior photographs, illustrations and diagrams, make the learning process simple and fun for origami beginners and provides useful tips for more advanced folders.

Origami transcends gender, culture, and language. It demands no prior learning and no complex equipment; it can be done at any age, by anyone; models can be large or small, useful or ornamental. You can fold a bus ticket or a sheet of gold leaf, but the sole requirement of becoming an expert in origami is that you enjoy it!

The Origami Artist's Bible starts with a simple set of origami folds, illustrated with clear step-by-step diagrams, and three essential origami "bases" that are starting points for project models in the rest of the book. The models are arranged according to theme; some are complex, requiring patience and practice, and some are suitable for total beginners.  

    

St. Patrick's Day Thread Spool Wreath Decoration and Lots of Book Giveaways

I don't know about you, but the day after Valentine's Day the color theme in the house goes from red to green so fast it would make your head spin. And speaking of spinning, I though I'd make a new decoration for St. Patrick's Day that featured my stash of green thread. I love decorating with my craft supplies!

This thread spool St. Patrick's Day wreath was super easy to make.

I used a pretty heavy gauge wire so it would hold the round shape with all the weight on it.

I alternately threaded spools of green thread and wood green beads onto the wire.

When I had the size I liked I cut the wire and taped the ends of the wire so they overlapped.

I tied a big bow with 4 colors of tulle ribbon.

I wanted to add one final touch in the center of the bow, and what better accent is there than a pompom?

So I made up a few pompoms with a variety of colored yarn in different sizes, and popped them onto the center of the bow.

I suggest hitting your stash of crafting supplies, see what you have in green and then make something with it, I bet you will love what you make!

Looking to "Get Lucky" why not get yourself in the running for some new books before they have even been released:

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Just Us Girls

by Cindy Ann Ganaden

Giveaway ends February 28, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

 

Enter to win

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Drawing Cute Animals in Colored Pencil

by Ai Akikusa

Giveaway ends February 28, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

 

Enter to win

Goodreads Book Giveaway

DIY Dog Grooming, From Puppy Cuts to Best in Show

by Jorge Bendersky

Giveaway ends February 28, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

 

Enter to win

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Plant by Numbers

by Steve Asbell

Giveaway ends March 01, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

 

Enter to win

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Complete Photo Guide to Slipcovers, Pillows, and Bedding

by Karen Erickson

Giveaway ends February 28, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

 

Enter to win

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Superfoods for Life Coconut

by Megan Roosevelt

Giveaway ends February 28, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

 

Enter to win

 

Knotted Double Stranded Friendship Bracelet Inspired by the Book, Artful Handmade Wrap Bracelets

If you are older, you may have made a million friendship bracelets with simple embroidery floss and knots like me, but if you are young you may have started making the skinny beaded modern version of friendship bracelets like the ones in Artful Handmade Wrap Bracelets.

Here is my first bracelet using square knot macrame and simple stringing linked up with a Prima bead anchor clasp.

I was so inspired by all the beautiful bracelets in Artful Handmade Wrap Bracelets and my latest delivery of Prima Beads.

To make the knotted part of the bracelet I followed the detailed step-by-step directions in Artful Handmade Wrap Bracelets on how to braid and then knot the ends of the cord.

I then slid the little sparkly glass Prima beads onto the center short cord and began knotting.

I did about a half an inch of knots and then slid up a bead. I kept repeating this pattern for the full bracelet length. Then simply tied all 3 strands to the other half of the clasp and trimmed the extra cord.

For the second fully beaded strand I cut a length of the stretch chord and linked it through one end of the clasp and secured it with a crimp bead.

All that was left to do was slide beads onto the stretch cord the same length as the knotted strand, link the end through the other end of the clasp and secure with another crimp bead.

More about the new bracelet making book that you will want to make everything in, I know I do!

 

Artful Handmade Wrap Bracelets: A Complete Guide to Creating Sophisticated Braided Jewelry Incorporating Precious Metals and Stones

by Di Kim

Artful Handmade Wrap Bracelets is an amazing step-by-step guide to make beautiful jewelry for all occasions. Author Di Kim will walk you through tools and materials, basic braids & knots, and fastenings. All you need to make any style of bracelet, whether plain and simple, or glammed-up with precious metals, stones, crystals or glass!

 

- Over 25 projects for stylish, covetable jewelry that combines informal style with fine materials

- Clear step-by-step instructions on basic braiding and knotting techniques, using a variety of cord materials, from leather and hemp to silk and ribbon

- Easy-to-follow guides to using beads, precious metal components, semiprecious gemstones, and more in your designs

- Features a full-color gallery of different styles, plus inspiration to create custom looks for a colorful wrist party

 

Born from a long line of artists and designers, Di Kim is no stranger to the world of creative art. With parents, siblings, and other close relatives all with careers in the design industry, it was only natural for Di eventually to follow suit. Combining her love of fashion and style with a Do-It-Yourself mantra, this self-taught jewelry designer began creating pieces from her home in Houston, Texas. She currently sells her jewelry online through Etsy, as well as at local boutiques, gift markets, and trade shows.