Thought crochet was just old-lady afghans and fuzzy scarves?  Think again!

We just launched a cute new craft site called Amigurumi Land where you can check out lots of adorable crochet creations, get amigurumi patterns to make your own, find great crochet and knitting supplies, and more!  

Not only will you find loads of amigurumi patterns and pictures, but you can also find the best books and patterns through the rating system which rates amigurumi books, difficulty of patterns, and quality of patterns.

So head on over to find out that there’s a lot more to crochet (and knitting!) than afghans!

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Handmade crafts are the ultimate customized holiday decor
Birdhouse craft instructions below article.

A Country Birdhouse

Here’s another silver lining to the dark economic clouds still on the horizon this holiday season: handmade holiday decorations are not only less costly, they’re perceived as more meaningful as well.

From spending more time with loved ones to an improvement in our overall health, stories abound on the positive side effects of the shaky economy. Increased enthusiasm for handmade items may well be the latest good by-product of troubled economic times.

“Social science experts tell us that tough economic times realign people’s priorities, and we’re certainly seeing that all around us,” says Riddi Kline, vice president, marketing of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, a leading craft supplies retailer. “People are placing greater emphasis not just on cost-savings but on the meaningfulness of a decoration or gift. Nothing is more personal and customizable than something you make yourself. And this year, you can find craft ideas to fit every holiday decorating theme.”

So how do you decide what handmade decorations will enhance your home’s holiday décor? Margaret Skinner, director of customer education of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores offers a few pointers:

* Choose craft items that complement your home’s overall theme. For example, if you love clean, contemporary modern lines, make items that mimic that look. Crafts that incorporate reflective surfaces and metallic looks will fit well with contemporary themes. Softer fabrics and materials will mesh with a country theme.

* Make crafts that will endure and be durable for seasons to come. “You’ll invest your time and a bit of yourself in every item you make,” Skinner says. “Opt for items that will be easy to care for and that will appeal to your sense of the holidays not just this year, but next year and the year after that as well.”

* Give yourself plenty of time and space in which to create. You’re not rushing the season if you start working on your holiday crafts in early November or even late October. You’re just giving yourself plenty of time to accomplish everything you want to do. Also, dedicate a specific area of your home to your crafting and keep all your projects in one place – this way you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.

* Get kids involved. When you create crafts with your children, you’re not just making decorations, you’re making memories that will stay with them throughout their lives. Plus, making crafts together will make each item feel that much more meaningful when you use it to decorate your home.

* Shop smart when shopping for craft supplies. Jo-Ann Fabrics is a leading seller of supplies for virtually every type of crafting activity. You can find craft ideas and directions to fit every type of holiday décor at www.joann.com.

Try this creative craft – a handcrafted birdhouse – that can be customized to fit with either a city or country theme:

A Country Birdhouse

A Country Birdhouse
Designed by Connie Glennon-Hall

Supplies and tools

1 wood birdhouse
1 can Rust-Oleum multicolored texture spray paint, autumn brown
1 each acrylic paints in dark brown, green and ivory
wooden picket fence
Deco Art Snow Writer
1 piece, 12 inches by 12 inches, brown cardstock
1 piece, 10 inches by 4 inches, Homespun fabric
Xyron 510 machine with adhesive cartridge
Tacky glue and glue stick
1/2-inch flat paintbrush
1/2-inch detail paintbrush
wire cutters
scissors
paper trimmer
ruler
sandpaper

Assembly instructions:

1. Sand the birdhouse hole openings to remove rough edges.

2. Paint the entire birdhouse with dark brown acrylic paint. When dry, spray with autumn brown multicolored textured paint. When dry, paint ivory lines with the detail brush.

3. Cut a rectangle of cardstock slightly smaller than the bottom of birdhouse. Glue cardstock to bottom of birdhouse using glue stick.

4. With wire cutters, cut a nine- to 10-picket length from the fence. Dilute green paint and apply a wash coating over fence. When dry, glue to the front of house, along the front base.

5. Measure the three sections of the roof and cut brown cardstock to fit. Run the cardstock through the Xyron machine. Press the sticky side of the cardstock onto the homespun fabric, aligning plaids and allowing 1/4 inch margin around each piece.

6. Trim around roof panels – keeping the 1/4 inch margin of fabric – and fray the edges by pulling out threads. Glue the three panels to the birdhouse roof, allowing fringe to remain exposed.

7. Decorate the house base, fence, perch, openings and fabric roof with Snow Writer.

Uptown (City) Birdhouse

Supplies and tools

Wood birdhouse
Rust-Oleum textured paint, desert bisque
Deco Art Dazzling Metallics acrylic paint, Champagne gold
1 piece, 12 by 12 inches, tan or gold cardstock
1 piece, 4 inches by 9 inches, Glitter Organza 5/8-inch ribbon
Deco Art Snow Writer
Xyron 510 machine with adhesive cartridge
tacky glue and glue stick
double-sided tape
scissors
paper trimmer
ruler
sandpaper
paintbrush
beaded trim

Assembly instructions:

1. Sand the birdhouse hole openings to remove rough edges.

2. Spray birdhouse with desert bisque textured paint to obscure wood grain. When dry, paint entire house with champagne gold acrylic paint.

3. Cut a rectangle of cardstock slightly smaller than the bottom of birdhouse. Glue cardstock to the underside of birdhouse using glue stick.

4. Attach beaded trim to the side edges of the upper roof using tacky glue.

5. Measure and cut a piece of ribbon slightly longer than the length of lower roof. Put a strip of double-sided tape on one side of ribbon. Squeeze a thin line of tacky glue over the lower roof and then apply the ribbon strip over that. When dry, trim ribbon ends.

6. Measure the two sections of the large roof and cut two pieces of cardstock to fit.

7. Run the cardstock through the Xyron machine. Position the cardstock on work surface with adhesive side up. Cover adhesive side with five overlapping strips of ribbon. Repeat for both roof pieces. Trim ribbon edges.

8. Place the two roof sections, peak to peak and ribbon side down, over the wrong side of the sheer fabric; cut the sheer fabric 3/4-inch larger all around the roof shape. Create a “hinge” between the two roof pieces (wrong side) with a strip of tape. Apply two more pieces of tape along the bottom edges of the wrong sides of the roof sections. Fold the sheer fabric over both long edges of the hinged roof, sticking the fabric to the three strips of tape. Add bits of tape to the bottom roof corners and fold raw fabric edges in, as though wrapping a gift. Secure the roof to the birdhouse with tacky glue. Glue only one roof plane at a time; tip the birdhouse over and weight it down, until glue is dry. Then, repeat for the other roof plane.

9. Decorate the house with Snow Writer, covering up the raw fabric edges between fabric and wood roof.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(NC)—Instead of throwing away plastic soda bottles, repurpose them to make luminaries for all kinds of occasions, from glittery summer gatherings to Halloween socials. To do so:

Peel the labels from empty plastic soda bottles. Use adhesive remover and a paper towel to remove any residue. Wash the soda bottles thoroughly and let them dry completely. Using a utility knife or scissors, carefully cut off top of each bottle. But how to start the first cut? Yahoo Answers “best answer” recommends heating a screwdriver on the gas and melting a hole which you then cut with a pair of good scissors.

Next, cut a half-circle out of the back, near the bottom. (This will make it easier to add the sand and the candle later.)

Draw desired shapes on the sticky-backed, removable adhesive paper and cut them out. Adhere the shapes to the soda bottles, being careful to firmly seal edges with fingernail. Cover your work area with newspaper. Spray the soda bottles with Krylon Fusion for Plastic.

After 24 hours, carefully peel off the removable shapes. (The spray paint will be dry to touch after 15 minutes but should be allowed to cure for at least 24 hours before the luminaries are put into service.) Add sand to the base for weight and insert a candle into each luminary. Light and enjoy.

Materials

Krylon Fusion for Plastic Spray Paint available in select colours at Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, Rona, Reno Depot, Wal-Mart, Kent and many other hardware and home centre stores.

Empty plastic soda bottles from your pantry

Con-Tact Paper or any sticky-backed adhesive paper, available at most craft stores

Scissors and/or a utility knife

Screwdriver

Adhesive remover

Candles

Sand

Paper towels

Drop cloths or newspaper

Rubber Gloves (optional)

Other ideas for reusing plastic soda bottles:

Make a potpourri holder. Cut off the bottom of the bottle, spray paint it, put it in the potpourri and cover the opening with lace and ribbon.

Make a “motion ocean.” Fill the bottle with half water, half oil. Add food colouring, glitter and turn. It’s great for a child’s show-and-tell day.

Make ice-packs for coolers or sore muscles. Fill bottles about two-thirds full and freeze. The plastic packs are ideal for placing in coolers and lunch boxes, and handy for emergency use when an ice-pack is needed.

- News Canada

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Candy Crafts

(ARA) – School’s out, the neighborhood pool is open and you are responsible for keeping the family active and engaged this summer. Whether you are taking a beach vacation or spending a day around the house, you can easily fill the time by planning several simple, budget-friendly, do-it-yourself activities. Ideal for indoor or outdoor time, these activities go a long way in creating personal summer memories without doing a number on your budget.

Theme day
The cost to take the family to a baseball game, amusement park or museum adds up quickly. This summer, think thrifty and save on the admission fees by organizing a craft day around the theme of your favorite family outing (think aquarium, ballpark and carnival). For example, bringing the enjoyment of America’s favorite pastime to your living room or backyard is easy when you buy several plain cotton baseball caps, tube socks (they only cost a dollar or two each) and T-shirt paint. Use the materials to let your kids personalize baseball apparel and then suit-up, grab some peanuts and gather the group to play catch in the backyard, for an impromptu tournament on your favorite gaming system or to catch a double-header on the tube. It’s a ballpark outing for a fraction of the cost.

Have your candy and craft with it too
Most families make weekly (if not more frequent) trips to the grocery store, so turn your next routine trip into the beginning of a new project by strolling down the candy aisle. “The grocer’s candy aisle has a collection of candy in virtually every color and shape, which means endless crafting possibilities,” explains candy expert Beth Kimmerle. “Candy is tasty and fun for kids of all ages, and is an affordable tool for crafting.”

Start by making candy jewelry. It is a perfect activity for your princess, but also trendy for your prince given the popularity of sports necklaces and bracelets for boys and girls. Gather an assortment of brightly colored Life Savers Gummies, tie a knot in a piece of ribbon to keep your candy from slipping, and thread your “jewels” onto the necklace. Once you have a full string, adjust the candy so there are equal amounts of ribbon on each side. Tie knots on each end to finish and voila, you’ve got the trendiest kid on the block. While you are lending a hand, don’t forget that gummy candy is a yummy treat while crafting. Who knew jewelry could be so inexpensive and tasty?

Treasure your trash
Next time you start to throw away packaging, leftover candy or craft items, stop and envision these items as your next treasure and creatively think of ways to reuse them. Re-using the items helps you to be less wasteful, while also saving you money and giving you “gems” to finish your crafts with a unique touch.

Candy Craft Truck

If your kids love trucks, drum-up some fun on a weekend and help them create something fabulous on four wheels from common items found around the house. Try the following simple exercise and in no time you’ll be watching your kids proudly race their handmade creations across the kitchen floor or back porch.

To make a truck you will need:
Egg carton
Berry basket
Craft paint and paintbrush
Scissors or craft knife
Twine
Glue
Cardboard
Colored paper
Gum foil
4 Hubba Bubba Sour Gummi Tape packages
5 Hubba Bubba Glop packages
2 Life Savers candies
4 Altoids mints

Instructions

Note: Cutting with sharp implements should only be done by adults.

Using an Exacto blade or sharp scissors, cut a 3-inch by 2-inch front window area from the berry box. Paint the egg carton orange to use as a truck body and paint the berry box white to use as a truck cab. While those parts are drying, paint your four empty Hubba Bubba Sour Gummi Tape packages black for truck wheels.

Cut a 6-inch by 4-inch piece of cardboard and glue the same size piece of orange craft paper to the top. Next, to make the truck’s load, stack the six empty Hubba Bubba Glop packages and glue them onto the orange board. Tie twine around the board as straps, tightly securing twine at the bottom of the board. Now, glue the finished load onto the back of the egg box.

Glue Life Savers candies for lights below the front window area of the white-painted berry box and glue the finished cab to the front of the egg box. When the wheels are dry, glue 2-inch silver circles with smaller red 1/8-inch foil circles on top of the painted Hubba Bubba Sour Gummi Tape packages and glue Altoids in the middle to finish the wheels.

Finally, glue the wheels evenly to the bottom of the egg carton truck. Let them dry completely and then go have fun.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Pillows are awesome craft projects because they’re usually not too complicated, they can turn out to be super cute, and everyone uses them!

If you’re looking for a new craft project, think pillows!  And to help you get started, here are a few ideas… 

photo credit: Shetland Arts

photo credit: amy_b

photo credit: St0rmz

photo credit: adiything

photo credit: stu_spivack

From elegant to odd, these great pillow creations should get some ideas rolling around!

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There are some awesome craft tutorials on flickr and we wanted to show off one of our favorite ones today… it may not be anywhere near Christmas, but you can either save this one or make it for a Christmas in July party

Learn how to make a beautiful paper snowflake with this visual step-by-step guide:

photo credit: jelene

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This week we’re focusing on some of the coolest kids crafts we found at flickr.

Kids will usually come up with the most fun and creative ideas – from “a new generation ladybug” to a colorful Christmas ornament to bright masks – we hope you enjoy and get some fun and creative ideas of your own from these!

photo credit: evelynishere

photo credit: woodleywonderworks

photo credit: Danbury Public Library

photo credit: Danbury Public Library

photo credit: Danbury Public Library

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Origami is one of my favorite craft forms, and this week we are showcasing some of our favorite origami & paper crafts on flickr – enjoy!  Visit All Japanese Crafts to learn about Japanese paper crafts, and we also highly recommend checking out Oriland – our favorite origami site – to check out some amazing and adorable origami works and to learn how to fold your own paper creations!

“Trofeos:”

photo credit: nachof

Geishas!

photo credit: Migraine Chick

Daisy sonobe large cube:

photo credit: fdecomite

cookdesign.co.uk origami CD holder

photo credit: Robert Brook

Martenitsi on a stick:

photo credit: Boby Dimitrov

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This week I picked some of my favorite crocheted items from flickr’s craft pool:

photo credit: alice-palace

Cute little crochet bags are the perfect thing if you want to make something functional, but not too time-consuming.  Choose the right colors and add a cute button as shown here, and you’ve got a really cute and creative item!

photo credit: Mountainside Crochet

Crochet plushes are another thing I love to make – they don’t take too long, and the result is soft and cute!  My daughter loves it when I make these for her.

photo credit: Nessa Land

Crochet baby booties – now that’s adorable!

photo credit: toadstool ring

This is too sweet!

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I get some of my best ideas from perusing flickr’s craft pool, and that’s why I’ve decided to start a new weekly segment highlighting my flickr faves – enjoy!

photo credit: Knitting turnip (rainbowproject)

This is so cute, and I’m always a sucker for crochet & knitted plushes!

photo credit: Cakewalk Queen

These look really soft and cozy as well as adorable!

photo credit: à voir etc…

And another creative crochet creation!

photo credit: nelly!

photo credit: Dyanna

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