She's Crafty

This is a fun idea c/o AT. I think you could also use double-sided tape to stick yarn to the bottle (in addition to the glue recommended in the directions). Either way, they're going to be a bit delicate and perhaps best at a distance, but I like the look of the bottle shapes with added texture. I think this project is going to cut in queue before a few other (more daunting) ones I've got on the horizon. Did I mention I finally finished my origami project? The batmobile flies! One of my next tasks involves reupholstering (insert scared clueless face), and the other requires painting (insert confused indecisive face).

Impulse Buy

The only thing stopping me from buying one of these is that I'm saving up for family Christmas presents, and this doesn't suit anyone in my family... except for me. Darnit. CottonBirdDesigns also sells more of these adorable birds made out of music paper, crossword puzzles, book pages, and more. Maybe one of them will suit your gift-giving needs....


found via ms. french.

Bonne Idée

I've always loved the look of crates-as-storage, but I lovelovelove this particular use of them.

c/o creature comforts.

She's Crafty

I'm no illustrator, but I still love these instructions on jump-starting an illustration by East by West.

She's Crafty

I LOVED legos as a kid and really want to make one of these for my kitchen utensils. Cute!

Bonne Idée

I love this inexpensive idea for decorating a big wall with something other than framed art. Just a box of pretty-colored tacks and a bunch of these flower thingies from a craft store... Et Voilà ~ indoor floral ivy!

Renegade Crafts

Here ends my rainy Saturday. Now I’m just waiting for Noah to paddle his ark by my window. I can hardly imagine the ruckus my dog would make then, but judging from what he does when we pass a horse and carriage downtown (mass hysteria), it'd be sumfin for "the rockstar's" record books.

Despite the nonstop downpour, D and I headed down the street to check out the Renegade Craft Fair. He picked up a couple clever tees, and I got awful tempted but am kinda proud to say I resisted. I’m testing my recently re-found efforts to figure why it is I’m so constantly short on clams (and actually do something about it this time, yeah, thas right). Since I had my tri-annual burst-into-one-minute-of-ugly-ass-tears about it earlier in the day, seems to be as good a time as any to give it another go.

Even though I didn’t buy anything, the weather failed to cooperate, and my so-called raincoat soaks water in instead of repelling it, the craft fair was really neato. I was reminded of how many great (though not always particularly nice) independent artists are out there making really cool shit. I’m keeping my booklet of crafters handy and am determined to turn to it next time I’m on the search for the perfect gift. Here’s hoping I've got a little more green to spare by then….

Mission Accomplished

Check it. The project actually worked! And, contrary to my usual pessimistic expectations (all the better to be pleasantly surprised, my dears) these were my first two tries. They're easy as pie to make, and there's something soothing in the hands-on repetition. Teehee, that sounds dirty.

Getting out the gutter, four Paste magazines support a decorative plate with keys and such on the left, while Edith Hamilton and Hester Prynne serve as a (frightfully flammable) candle pillar on the right. I'm not sure I'd use the magazine tables to hold a potted plant like they do in the instruction article (they don't feel all that stable to me), but they're certainly prepared to hold lightweight items. If you're looking for some easy decorations, give it a go!

I think I'm officially warmed up and inspired for my origami endeavours now...

Crafty

Since I've yet to get around to my origami project (intimidated), I think I'll tackle this little project first. These are mini-magazine-tables, a swell way to creatively use old magazines. I love how colorful they are, but I'm even more drawn to the black & white (looks a bit more neat). So long as they actually end up looking something like this, I'm sold on trying. I imagine my first few attempts will end up looking like piles of trash, but I've got plenty of old magazines to forge onward. Then again, the devil only knows where I'll put them. Friends might find themselves receiving them in the mail, though I don't imagine they'd travel well.