October « 2011 « Crown Publishing

October 2011

It’s Not Too Late for a Handmade Halloween

A few weeks ago, when I was struggling to come up with a Halloween costume, I spotted a poster for the movie Black Swan on my way to work. Problem solved. I already had three different kinds of black feathers and several yards of black tulle in my craft supply stash, and my hair is dark and short (like Natalie Portman and Winona Ryder once wore), so clearly, the universe had spoken. One problem, though; I wear glasses (my eyes don’t tolerate contacts), and my tortoise shell frames threatened to kill the entire look.

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Ask the Experts: Sewing Disasters and How to Avoid Them

Have you ever sewed something that ended up in the scrap pile? A skirt that was too short, wonky seams that wouldn’t lie flat, or a fabric that looked great on the bolt but didn’t suit the pattern you picked? Not to worry, you’re in good company. Some of our favorite sewing authors share a few disaster stories lurking in their past and offer tips to salvage projects gone bad–or at least prevent future catastrophes.

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Reminder: Show Us Your Pumpkins

Only four days remain until Halloween. Time to add finishing touches to your costumes, spookify (yes, we invented that word) your homes, and of course, decorate some pumpkins! October 31 is also the final day to submit your carved and embellished pumpkins to our CrafterNews Pumpkin Decorating Contest on Facebook!

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Mochimochi Photo Contest and Giveaway

Anna Hrachovec just announced the fifth annual Mochimochi Photo Contest on Mochimochi Land. Since we at CrafterNews are quite obsessed with Anna’s adorable mochimochis, we are re-posting the contest rules, and also adding a giveaway of our own.

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New York Sheep and Wool Festival Recap

We love attending the New York Sheep and Wool Festival held each year in Rhinebeck, New York. Who can resist all the gorgeous yarn on display, lamb cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, dog herding competitions, and (our personal favorite) the pumpkin chucking contest? Despite a few passing downpours, the festival was in full effect!

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Free Project from The Knitter’s Book of Socks by Clara Parkes

It seems the Indian summer has finally ended across the East coast and autumn is officially upon us. Time to dust off the old boots. But before you slip your feet back into those boots, make sure you’re equipped with proper socks!

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DIY Wedding Series: BONUS

Throughout the summer, we followed Emily, our in-house bride, as she crafted for her wedding. She lifted the veil on DIY weddings, sharing innovative projects from a wine cork bulletin board to vintage escort tags to postcard table placards and more. Emily was married on September 4, 2011, in Sandy, Utah, and as promised, she is providing us with photos of her handmade wedding crafts from the big day.

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Meet the Makers from Craft Activism

What is Craft Activism? The short answer: it’s a grassroots phenomenon celebrating the handmade spirit. It’s also a new book by Joan Tapper and Gale Zucker featuring makers from all walks of life—knitters, embroiderers, environmentalists, historians, and more—who use their craft to make an impact on the world around them.

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Announcing the CrafterNews Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

We shared the pumpkins we created at our in-house pumpkin carving extravaganza, now it’s time for you to show us your Halloween pumpkins! From October 11 until October 31, we will be hosting a pumpkin contest on our Facebook page, wherein contestants (you!) can upload photos of your Halloween creations for a chance to win fabulous prizes!

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Crafting a Chalkboard Coffee Table

I was walking in Portland, Maine, when inspiration struck. I came across an activity table outside a boutique along the waterfront. The table was clearly meant for kids—it was low to the ground and came with two small chairs, and most importantly, the table was also a chalkboard. Herein lies the inspiration.

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