Yes it's that time again-Swap-o-rama time! I will be there on Saturday July 16th, 2011 from 12-5 at Renegade Craft Fair Los Angeles being held at the Los Angeles State Park with my Sizzix die cutter and lots of new shapes that you can add fun iron-on appliques to your custom designs!
Now onto craftastic 4th of July Crafty links:
Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery See how to make an American flag motif 4th of July decoration from Christmas ornaments on a chain link fence.
About Family Crafts The current make-it-over craft challenge is handprint crafts! Do you have one to share?
Aileen's Musings Aileen has reposted her tie-dyed deli paper background technique and some freebie fractal backgrounds.
Craft Buds Learn how to sew a messenger bag for your little guy or gal with this tutorial. Also, visit the giveaways page for a chance to win an Accuquilt fabric cutter and three dies.
Eileen - The Artful Crafter 3D Paper Tole work is very popular on The Continent. Watch this video illustrating how you can take your decoupage into the next dimension.
If you are in Chicago this weekend and want to check out some great craftiness check out the Renegade Craft Fair and swing by the Craftside booth for a free Makeready journal!
Craftside was delighted to be one of the sponsors of the 2009 June Squam Art Workshops! In just a few weeks (on September 16th) we're headed back to SAW! Will we see you there? If not...maybe next year!
Squam Art Workshops are held lakeside at the steeped in history-Rockywold-Deephaven Camps in Holderness, NH. There is not a prettier, more tranquil spot on this earth.To this natual beauty and tranquility add three days of workshops taught by top-notch instructors, a large dose of creativity, glorious Jonatha Brooke musical performances, hula hoops, wonderful crafty people, lots of color & texture, a Saturday night marketing place featuring Jessica & Casey from Ravelry, and very yummy food 3X a day. Mix it all up and you come up with bliss!
SAW features three days of creativity (plus the Wednesday you arrive and the Sunday you leave)! In June there were crafters from all over the US, Canada and the UK in attendance (and maybe beyond!) Everyone came with a different level of expertise...and everyone left feeling totally energized! We all made new friends and learned more than we ever imagined possible.
Upon arrival everyone received a mason jar filled with gorgeous wildflowers, and we each received a handy SAW tote bag filled with yarn, patterns, a gorgeous Yankee proverb SAW poster designed by Lisa Occhipinti, a book all about the Rockywold-Deephaven camps, local info and lots of other goodies.
At the end of each workshop-day there was time to sunbathe and swim from our cabin's dock! Here's the brilliant Elizabeth MacCrellish (right) who founded SAW in 2008 and Noel, the graphic designer responsible for the SAW identity!
Another one of the SAW sponsors was Singer Sewing Co. who generously contributed five sewing machines. This one came in very handy during Catherine Slye's Goody Bag class.
and (many other books) taught several workshops including one on free form knitting & crochet. Here she is (center) with Elizabeth MacCrellish and fellow knitting author/instructor Beth Brown-Reinsel. At mealtimes everyone displayed their work in progress! Look at these fabulous freeform projects. Oohlala what talent!
On Friday night everyone turned out for a "Playhouse" evening all about writing and enjoying craft books. Several of the author/instructors shared the stage and led a lively discussion about their experiences. There were oodles of questions from aspiring authors! Afterwards everyone devoured scrumptious little pastel-colored cupcakes and shopped Bayswater Book Company's remote-bookshop set up just for us at the back of the Playhouse.
led three workshops on creating Painted Fiber Prayer Flags. She was also a huge help at the Craftside table during Saturday night's book-themed event!
During Saturday night's book extravaganza, everyone was given one of the Craftside Makeready Journals. Attendee Andrew Borloz a contributor to several Quarry titles, was delighted to see his project from Re-Bound
featured on the cover of one of the journals.
Everyone loved their cabins...especially the screened in porches! These are pictures of the cabin named Satis. Each cabin had its own vintage ice chest so we were able to keep our stash of beer, wine and cheese well chilled. And you really haven't experienced life on Squam Lake until you've sat on the porch after twilight listening to lovelorn loons calling out to each other.
Check out this video that shows even more of the beauty and creativity:
And there is an art show featuring work from SAW, info can be found here.
June in New Hampshire was all about blues and greens! September's workshops start on the 16th and run thru the 20th which might be just a bit early for Fall foliage and its spectacular array of reds, oranges and yellows! I guess it all depends on the weather between now and then. No matter what...it's bound to be spectacular. By the way, did you know that Squam Lake is where On Golden Pond was filmed? Check back after mid-September for a SAW update and to see how the colors have changed!
September's going to be a busy month for Craftside. If you miss seeing us at SAW, might we see you at Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago!? We promise to take lots of pictures there too!
