Archive for December, 2011
If you’re still looking for last minute stocking stuffers for your besties, sisters, or hard to impress mother-in-law, have I got a find for you. Handcrafted bath and body products from Etta + Billie. All her lovely soaps, lip balms and other goodies are produced in small batches using organic or fair trade oils, organic botanicals, and natural essential oils. Like the Oatmeal Cinnamon soap, made with organic cinnamon and ground oatmeal, and under $10! With a deal like that, you can leave everyone smelling great this season.
Check out the stash at Etta + Billie on Etsy.
It’s hard to believe these are oil paintings, isn’t it? Believe it. These beautiful works are by Canadian based talent Carly Waito. I love it when a piece of art actually makes my jaw drop. These have done just that (excuse me while I gape in awe and wonder). Wow.
Christina is the writer behind the design blog, Down and Out Chic. She’s a budget-friendly design huntress that’s passionate about art and the handmade movement. She adores all things striped and polka dotted and would spend most of her afternoons vintage shopping if her closet were big enough. Find her on Twitter or at D&OC.
I have had the pleasure of joining forces with some lovely internet buddies over the last few weeks for a couple of projects that I want to tell you about…
1. The first is called the 15 Friends Project, put together by Steve & Michelle of Twig Creative. Read more about this project here. The concept is really cool. They invited 15 creatives + artists + trendsetters to create a unique piece of artwork in a collaborative setting. There are two canvases that were mailed out to the 15 (split into two groups) and each person was asked to build on what had been done by the previous person. The finished pieces will be auctioned off (which is pretty neat). Heres whose participating…
Dear Lizzy // That’s Happy // Oh Hello Friend // Hue & Hum // Unruly Things // Dandee Designs //Papernstitch // Creature Comforts // IHOD // Rockstar Diaries // Design for Mankind // Gussy Sews // K Barteski.
I was the third person to get the canvas I was set to work on, and here’s what I came up with…
You can follow the progress and see what happens next on Twig Creative blog.
2. And project number two is called Deck the Blogs. All month long “Deck The Blogs” will provide a way for bloggers to share their favorite holiday crafts, recipes, and DIYs for chance to be featured here on Papernstitch, Crafted Love, C.R.A.F.T., or Craftyminx. Each week a winner will be chosen and featured on Ninth & Bird, and then later will be featured on one of the sponsoring blogs! So yeah, I am one of the sponsoring blogs. This is such a fun project and I know that you are a DIY maven, so head on over to Ninth & Bird now for all the details.
P.S. The new exhibition started today. Head over and check our new exhibitors when you have a chance.
Ready to tell your loved ones just how much they mean to you? Wanna do it in a bold way? Look into the vivid handmade screenprints from Conilab. Designed and hand printed by graphic designer Coni in her studio in Barcelona, there is something for your family, your partner, and even your mom to feel extra special receiving this season. I’m partial to the We are a team print for my little family.
Rachel Anne wrote this post. She is a 20-something wife and mother of one, who enjoys making things for her embroidery and tiny handmade goodies shop called, Goose and Trisser. You can visit Rachel Anne on her blog here.
I have a few handkerchiefs that I’ve collected over the years, but I never know what to do with them because I feel like they are kind of hard to display. So for Christmas this year, I’ve decided to show off a couple of my favorite hankies in a holiday diy wreath project that is just too easy not to replicate in your own home. The best part is, none of your family heirlooms or your prized fabrics will be damaged in the process – because once the season is over your can simply remove the materials and they are basically as good as new. Interested? Good…
This is what you need to make your own holiday hankie wreath:
1. syrofoam wreath 2. old and antique hankies 3. straight pins 4. ribbon (optional) *NO GLUE REQUIRED. How great is that?
This is how you make it:
1. Grab your materials and take a cozy seat by the fireplace. You can do this project pretty much anywhere because there is no messy glue or tedious sewing.
2. Layout your pieces around your wreath to figure what patterns and colors would be best next to each other, etc.
3. Start with the hankie (or ribbon – I decided to use a little vintage ribbon to bring in another texture) that will be the undermost layer. Fold your first handkerchief in half to form a triangle (seems to work best that way).
4. Using a small straight pin, secure the tip of your hankie to the back of your styrofoam wreath and then begin wrapping it around and around.
5. Secure the other loose end to the wreath with another straight pin.
6. Move on to your next hankie and repeat steps 4 and 5 until the entire wreath has been covered.
7. Create a small bow using some extra ribbon or an additional hankie and attach with another straight pin and you are all set.
**Once the holidays have come to an end, you can easily remove the pins, unwrap your hankies, and put them back in your drawers for safe keeping. No damage and you can use them again next year.
Here’s a step by step in pictures…
And here’s the finished wreath….
What do you think? Pretty easy huh? If you decide to make one of these little guys on your own, please share a link to your finished project in the comments. I’d love to see what you come up with.
And if you like this tutorial… Please help spread the word by sharing it on facebook, twitter, or stumbleupon using the handy buttons below. Then be sure to grab your free copy of The Happy Holidays Guide to DIY by clicking below…
It is the littlest things that we miss in the hustle of every day. That’s why Germany-based photographer Julie Davis stopped me in my tracks this morning with her dreamy, nature photos, capturing the smallest details of life in the moment. She has frozen the elements of her surroundings so I can stop and enjoy them in the midst of my never ending to-do list.
Here’s something big, use code PAPERNSTITCH for 15% off!Check out her collection at Julie Davis Photo on Etsy.
This contributor post was written by Michael Ann of Michael Ann Made.
Hello friends of papernstitch!
My favorite part about the holidays is giving gifts, but my second favorite part is wrapping them! I thought it would be fun to share with you today an easy and quick DIY for a felt gift card envelope. Gift cards can be a great simple gift, but making a unique little envelope to put them in can make them extra special.
Here are the materials you’ll need:
1. Felt! The brighter and more fun the colors, the better.
2. Sewing Supplies – Scissors, Embroidery Thread, Pins, Needle.
3. A Gift Card Envelope Template. Instead of going through the mathematics I used, I created a downloadable template just for you! Just click through the image below to save and print out your template, made to fit standard sized gift cards.
4. Your Gift Card.
Here’s how you make it:
1. Cut out your envelope using the template. Also cut out any details you would like to add, like a stamp or an address tag. Make it unique!
2. Stitch details onto the front of the envelope. It is much easier to stitch when the envelope isn’t sewn together yet. Use bright thread and have fun creating special details!
3. Stitch together the back of the envelope. Using your fingers, fold along the edges, pressing hard to create a good crease. Then pin together the bottom and side flaps, and stitch them together. I used a straight stitch, but a different decorative stitch could be fun too!
4. Insert your gift card and give it away!
Now look at how simple that was! This project can easily be made in fifteen minutes, just one more quick trick in your gift giving arsenal. Good luck with your crafting, and Happy Holidays friends!
Michael Ann is a sewer, knitter, crafter, thrifter, living a crafty life with her husband in Portland, Oregon. You can find her at her blog Michael Ann Made where she shares projects, tutorials, and bits of inspiration to help you live a crafty life too. You can also follow her adventures on twitter.
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