The Big-Ass Book of Crafts

I don't normally pick up crafting books, if for nothing else than the price alone, but when I saw this at my local Hasting's, I HAD to have it.

This book is HUGE with over 150 crafting ideas and endless inspiration for more. There's even a website and blog from author Mark Montano with even more craft projects and ideas.

Credentials:

- awesome projects in a wide array of materials and difficulties.
- projects for the home, office, gifting, etc, etc.
- great instructions, easy to follow
- wonderful photos of the projects and the process of making them
- great for giving further inspiration
- nice blog, though new, with additional projects

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

The Friday Five: Summer Time (Teal and Yellow!)

For today's Friday Five, I decided to do a summer inspired splash in teals and yellows. Enjoy!

First, we have this ADORABLE dress by ZoeChen, featuring her original artwork. I love it!
























Next, this vintage pendant from soradesigns is just to die for!


















Next, we have a gorgeous print from ara133photography. I love the colors in this print, and such a reasonable price!












Next, we have this adorable and unique tea towel from leahduncan. I love the design and the gorgeous color scheme!



















And last, but not least, we have GORGEOUS teal blue depression glass plates from corrnucopia. I love depression glass, and will always have a weakness for it, lol.


Thank you to all of the amazing Etsysians out there who make my Friday Five possible. Happy crafting and happy sales!

In Bloom

Summer is upon us, and flowers are in bloom everywhere! It just make me want to capture those perfect blooms forever. Well, now you can, paper style.

Today, I'll be featuring various paper flowers, from easy-peasy to a little more advanced that you can fill your home with.


21 Paper flowers from Martha Stewart.com
Crepe Paper Party Streamer Roses
Kawasaki Rose
Origami Lotus Flower

Fun Crafts For Kids, or the Kid At Heart

I was recently cruising around my local Michael's, looking for some easy craft projects I could do with an injured wrist, and stumbled across the utterly adorable line of American Girl crafts. You may remember the American dolls or book series from when you were younger, (I certainly do.) and they are one and the same. I always loved them for featuring strong, independent girls in their books, and now I'm thrilled to see the franchise moving to support arts and crafts for our young girls. Of course, it helps that the products are SO CUTE!

Naturally, I had to pick up a couple project kits for myself. Here's what I got:
























Both kits include everything you need to create one large size and one small size softie, including the needle and a handy needle threader. My only complaint is that the package read for ages 8+, and I completed the owls last night and couldn't imagine the 8 year old with the patience to complete this. However, I think it's a wonderful activity or gift for an older girl, or for those of us who never quite grew up. ^_^

You can check out some of the other fun craft supplies and kits at their website, American Girl Crafts.

It's an old crocheting injury...

Sadly to say, I'll likely not be able to start my scarflette project this week. :(

It seems I have injured my right wrist somehow, and the only current theory is by crocheting. Doesn't sound so bad, aside from the painful swelling any crafting or use of my arm, period gets me.

I will however be adding extra tutorials and other goodies this week to make up for it! ^_^

I will also be making a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, so hopefully, all will go well.

Happy crafting!
~Paper

The Friday Five: Scarflettes!

Over Christmas break, I decided to teach myself to crochet, and have since produced my very first project, a lovely black ruffled scarf! And with my new skill, I've also come to harbor an even greater love of all things crocheted or knit, especially the very in fashion scarflette. Everything I want in a scarf, without the bulk. The Perfect winter accessory!

And to share my love of scarflettes with you all, I have scoured the Etsy-verse to bring you five of my favorites. It was very hard to pick just five, but here they are, in no particular order, this weeks Fav Five!



First up is a dainty silver knitted collar by Silvia66. I adore the color and simple femininity of the piece, just gorgeous!













Next, we have a scarlette by shendara in a funky and fun lime green with cool teal buttons. I just love the colors! She even offers custom colors on this piece if you'd like something more subdued. <3






Next on the list is this amazingly unique scarf by kanokwalee. I can't get over how cool this scarf is! Modern design meets soft, cozy wool yarn to make a bold statement piece that's sure to get you noticed.











Next up is this simple and chic silver scarflette by gsakowskidesigns. I love the contrast of the silver and black, perfect for adding to any outfit. The flower has a pin back and is removable for further customization to suit your personal style.












And last, but certainly not least, we have a gorgeous orange scarflette by zukas. I LOVE the color and the oversized button!

This has been my Friday Five! Thank you to all the amazing, crafty Etsyians out there who make my features possible. Keep on crafting ladies! Also, tune in next week for my weekly project, where I attempt to take on my own scarflette. It'll be the first pattern I've read without the assitence of a seasoned crocheter, so wish me luck!




Happy crafting,
~Paper

New Plans and Etsy's Front Page

Hello again everyone!

I know I've been horrible about updating lately, and here comes the part where I make some lame excuses about the holidays and catching a bad cold, but we all know I was just lazy, lol. :P


{New Project a Week Plan}

I have decided that, come Monday, I will be launching my Project Of The Week posts. Every Monday, I will feature a project that I will be doing for that week. I will put up pictures of my progress, helpful hints regarding the project type, patterns/tutorials for some, as well as snags, bumps and the utter craft fail that will likely ensue with some of the things I attempt. (It happens to the best of us. >_< )

{Etsy's Recent Front Page Features}

Now, let me first say that Etsy is very near and dear to my heart. With that in mind, however, I can't help but do a double take at some of the items recently featured on the front page. I'm not the only one talking either. Many of my fellow Etsyians have logged into Etsy, eager for the wonderful bounty of front page goodies, only to be left raising an eyebrow and shaking their heads.

Theories abound as to the reason for this sorry collection of items from the Etsy-verse. Perhaps Etsy is trying to feature a broader range of 'talent' on the front page, or perhaps these sellers know something we don't and are smoozing the admins. Or, more likely, the admins have been replaced by craft-challenged aliens bent on spreading bad taste throughout the Intraweb.

At any rate, logging into Etsy as of late has been dissapointing at best and just sad at worst.

Comments? Thoughts? I'd love to hear any theories.

Happy Crafting,
~Paper