While we were in Austin for Stitch, we grabbed an embroidery lesson from Austin Craft Mafia member Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. We’ll also take a look at some crafty local stores in Austin, check out a viewer submission and answer your questions! Links in this episode: Craft Mafia Offical site www.craftmafia.com Jenny Hart’s artwork www.jennyhart.net Sublime Stitching www.threadbanger.com Black Mail www.blackmailboutique.com Creatures Boutique www.creaturesboutique.com Hovercraft Cody Scrogum www.painterlyhandsomes.com Parts and Labour www.partsandlabour.com Lawless Revolution (pulp secret inspired wallet) www.lawlessrevowear.com Music Video: The Octopus Project www.theoctopusproject.com
Children can create artwork of their own by applying squares of tissue paper to an original drawing or coloring book page. Introduce children to creative projects withhelp from an art teacher in this free video on arts and crafts techniques. Expert: Cori DiSimone Contact: www.corisets.com Bio: Cori DiSimone has a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in printmaking and painting, and she has a Master of Arts in Art History. Filmmaker: Antonio Villagomez
Recommended Reading
- self-adhesive
- 200 pcs. per unit; 1″ – 2″
- Designs include treasure chests, flags, ship wheels, anchors, ships, maps, telescope, coins, gems, hats.
Product Description
Give crafts, artwork, notebooks, bookmarks and more a fun pirate look! No need for glue, our foam self-adhesive shapes stick on their own! Assorted styles. Designs include treasure chests, flags, ship wheels, anchors, ships, maps, telescope, coins, gems, hats. (200 pcs. per unit) 1″ – 2″… More >>
200 Assorted Pirate Foam Craft Stickers
Recommended Reading
If you’re vacationing in New York City with children you may find that doing all outdoor activities can be quite tiresome for all involved but going through museum after museum might not do the trick for all of your children. Children enjoy doing hands on activities that all museums simply don’t readily allow for. This is where planning creative outlets for your children during your vacation can have a wonderful impact on everyone’s enjoyment of the time spent in New York.
In addition you may discover a talent your child has that you’d have never known about otherwise. Some of the most interesting crafting types of opportunities in New York City will be mentioned here. I’m sure there are more that won’t make the list but there are only so many hours in any given day.
The first store to make my list is based upon a creative outlet that has shown a rapid rise in popularity over the last few years, painting your own pottery. The name of the store is The Painted Pot and you are allowed to select and paint your own pottery. You can even take pottery wheel classes with your little one if you are brave enough but it is quite likely that you will have a wonderful time and be able to bring your artwork home with you upon your return for vacation. Remember that there is firing time involved so do this early during the week if it’s going to be on your list of things to do. Otherwise you’ll need to arrange shipping to have your child’s creations sent home to you.
For those of you who have promising musicians, how about a day at Triple Z Music Recording Workshops? This is a rather costly excursion but your child will gain actual studio experience and bring home a CD of their music at the end of the day. Kids will learn about life on both sides of the booth and this is a great idea for older children who have indicated a sincere interest in music.
If you’d like to really impress your youngsters take them to the Cloisters, which is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum that centers on the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Your kids will feel as though they’ve stepped into a fairy tale. It is also a good idea to check out the works of art at the Met as well as this is one of the more kid friendly museums that wasn’t designed specifically for children.
You should also be aware of stores like Toys R Us in Times Square and FAO Schwarz, which each have unique offerings designed to enchant and entertain children. You’ll have a ball watching your children have fun in these neat stores and you may find yourself having fun right along with them. Just make sure no one is watching of course. There are many other stores that have something to offer children of all ages, be sure to check it out and see which stores you find appealing and which stores your children might find fascinating.
Keep in mind that New York City has many wonderful parks that present excellent opportunities for your youngsters to get out, about, and run off some pent up energy. I think it’s very important that you schedule some serious park time for your children while you’re visiting New York in order to keep you all sane through the times that they are not fully entertained and prone to wondering minds.
It is also important when traveling with very small children that you schedule some sort of quiet time for them during the day. Children are so prone to sensory overload if they aren’t provided with some sort of quiet place in which to unwind for a bit. Mid afternoon is a great time to go back to your room, freshen up, allow the little kids a bit of a break and the parents and older kids a little break from the noise and the crowds as well. Everyone will be much happier if your remember to schedule this vitally important rest time when planning your day.
Recommended Reading
Has the machine embroidery bug bitten you yet? Do you want to get into machine embroidery, but just don’t know where to start? Do you wonder if the investment is worth it?
About four years ago, I purchased my first embroidery machine, and I have been hooked to the art ever since. I’ve slowly built a library of designs and I’ve learned how to hoop, stabilize, and choose the right thread!
I started by researching the vast array of embroidery machines available, many of which also do standard sewing. Machines are priced anywhere from $400 up to many thousands. Search the Internet or go to your local Sew Vac or fabric store for a demonstration! Choose a machine based upon how much embroidery you want to do and what your budget will allow.
To tell the truth, I felt weird about using machine embroidery at first. I wanted to be the designer and I didn’t want to depend upon someone else’s creativity to make my work look beautiful. Then, I discovered that I had lots of choices and I couldn’t resist the designs that are available. I found quilt embroideries that you can use to quilt blocks in the hoop and get better results than using free-motion or a long arm machine. I found all sorts of vintage looks in redwork, bluework, and even lace that you embroider right on a dissolvable stabilizer in the thread color that matches your project best. Of course there are many modern detailed designs in every theme from babies and kids to holidays and weddings.
Embroidery designs are “digitized” from artwork. While most sites sell artwork that can be picked up by many digitizers, some sites selling machine embroidery files such as SWAK Embroidery and You Can Make This also have designs from original hand-drawn art. This means that those designs can only be purchased from those sites and therefore, you won’t see them just anywhere.
One great thing about embroidery designs is that they have a color palette selected for you in advance, but you can also adjust the colors to your specifications by choosing from color families and tones. Filled designs are those made up of all embroidered stitches. Appliqué designs allow you to choose fun fabrics to add your own artistic expression to the finished product. If you make some cute cropped pants, but need a matching shirt, find an appliqué design for a tee shirt and use the fabric from the pants in the appliqué to add just the right matching touch.
Some designs are really versatile in that a change of thread color can make the design work for any occasion. Take a balloon design and use thread in your child’s favorite colors. Makes realistic looking oak leaves in any color-palette from spring yellows and greens to fall reds, browns, and oranges. Change the colors in a cute cheerleader design or collegiate alphabet to match your school colors. Even merge two designs or add lettering to a design to make it yours, using your embroidery machine or digitizing software.
Is it worth the investment? Definitely! What could be better than to be able to make a professional looking embroidery design either on ready-to-wear or hand sewn clothing, quilts, or other projects. Even create a business for yourself by creating embroidered items for others!
Lorie Fuller is a designer and writer for www.youcanmakethis.com, www.SWAKembroidery.com and the Editor of You Can SEW This, a newsletter written for sewing enthusiasts. Find hundreds of embroidery designs and ?How To? e-Books, along with three informative newsletters. Sign up for the newsletters to receive e-Book and embroidery design bundles for FREE!
Recommended Reading
If you’re vacationing in New York City with children you may find that doing all outdoor activities can be quite tiresome for all involved but going through museum after museum might not do the trick for all of your children. Children enjoy doing hands on activities that all museums simply don’t readily allow for. This is where planning creative outlets for your children during your vacation can have a wonderful impact on everyone’s enjoyment of the time spent in New York.
In addition you may discover a talent your child has that you’d have never known about otherwise. Some of the most interesting crafting types of opportunities in New York City will be mentioned here. I’m sure there are more that won’t make the list but there are only so many hours in any given day.
The first store to make my list is based upon a creative outlet that has shown a rapid rise in popularity over the last few years, painting your own pottery. The name of the store is The Painted Pot and you are allowed to select and paint your own pottery. You can even take pottery wheel classes with your little one if you are brave enough but it is quite likely that you will have a wonderful time and be able to bring your artwork home with you upon your return for vacation. Remember that there is firing time involved so do this early during the week if it’s going to be on your list of things to do. Otherwise you’ll need to arrange shipping to have your child’s creations sent home to you.
For those of you who have promising musicians, how about a day at Triple Z Music Recording Workshops? This is a rather costly excursion but your child will gain actual studio experience and bring home a CD of their music at the end of the day. Kids will learn about life on both sides of the booth and this is a great idea for older children who have indicated a sincere interest in music.
If you’d like to really impress your youngsters take them to the Cloisters, which is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum that centers on the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Your kids will feel as though they’ve stepped into a fairy tale. It is also a good idea to check out the works of art at the Met as well as this is one of the more kid friendly museums that wasn’t designed specifically for children.
You should also be aware of stores like Toys R Us in Times Square and FAO Schwarz, which each have unique offerings designed to enchant and entertain children. You’ll have a ball watching your children have fun in these neat stores and you may find yourself having fun right along with them. Just make sure no one is watching of course. There are many other stores that have something to offer children of all ages, be sure to check it out and see which stores you find appealing and which stores your children might find fascinating.
Keep in mind that New York City has many wonderful parks that present excellent opportunities for your youngsters to get out, about, and run off some pent up energy. I think it’s very important that you schedule some serious park time for your children while you’re visiting New York in order to keep you all sane through the times that they are not fully entertained and prone to wondering minds.
It is also important when traveling with very small children that you schedule some sort of quiet time for them during the day. Children are so prone to sensory overload if they aren’t provided with some sort of quiet place in which to unwind for a bit. Mid afternoon is a great time to go back to your room, freshen up, allow the little kids a bit of a break and the parents and older kids a little break from the noise and the crowds as well. Everyone will be much happier if you remember to schedule this vitally important rest time when planning your day.
We’re a resource site for those looking for travel information or need travel advice. Visit us or check out our travel tips articles.
Recommended Reading
- Elmer’s kinder ready series features the eye-catching artwork of eric carle
- Each activity has great visuals tons of fun and loads of learning
- In the string along skill building kit you find 16 activity cards 1 lace for stringing 24 colored beads
- This develops hand eye coordination as it teaches recognition of patterns and sequences
- For ages 3 and up
Product Description
Kinder-Ready is dedicated to helping your child get ready for kindergarten. Elmer’s Kinder ready series features the eye-catching artwork of Eric Carle, the popular author and illustrator of much-beloved children’s books including the Very Hungry Caterpillar. Each activity has great visuals, tons of fun and loads of learning-the perfect combination to help children get ready for kindergarten. For ages 3 and up. In the string along skill building kit you find 16 acti… More >>
Elmer’s Education KinderReady Eric Carle String Along
Recommended Reading
Are you tired of sticking your kids’ latest art and craft projects on the fridge? Are you looking for more interesting ways to showcase their talent? You’ve come to the right place! Below we have a list of creative ways to display art and craft for kids. Let your kids know how proud you are of their artwork by making their artwork ever present in your home, not just on the fridge!
Cover a serving tray with their artwork. It’s functional and whimsical. Your guests will admire your kids’ creativity as they nosh on your goodies. Turn their artwork into coasters. Simply paste their artwork onto coasters and apply a clear sealant to protect the surface. Make a shadow box. This is a good way to present some three dimensional artwork and craft for kids. Laminate the artwork and turn them into placements. This is simple and makes cleaning the placements a breeze. Use the artwork to wrap their school books. Use clear transparent to protect the artwork. Make a collage with their artwork. This makes a big impact when there’s a common theme in their artwork. Use them as clocks. Just get a kit and follow the instructions. Turn them into fabric. You’ll have to scan the artwork first using a scanner and print them onto fabric using your inkjet printer at home. Turn them into stickers. Just scan their artwork and print it out on sticky paper. Use the artwork in your calling cards. Moo.com prints beautiful calling cards for a fee.
Click on this link for more art and craft ideas for kids
.
Edda Shea is the author of Kid Craft Project: a website for people who enjoy crafting with their kids. It is an online directory that sources the best ideas for kid craft projects.
Recommended Reading
The Joys of Spring Break and Summer
Arts & Crafts….
by Rhonda Moret
We all know how we can spend hour up summer hour watching our kids engage in their development of junior masterpieces. From finger painting, to drawing, to basic everyday coloring, your child can quickly amass beautiful pieces of art. The question quickly becomes, however, what do we do with all of the artistic treasures our little junior Picasso have developed. I know I have personally been guilty of sneaking a piece or two of artwork in between the different sections of the morning newspaper which was headed for the recycle bin. Mind you…I did feel a panged of guilt when I confiscated these out of my home but I just didn’t have even one more square inch of ‘display’ area on my refrigerator (I had even begun posting artwork on our surplus frig in the garage!!). But then I found the answers (with the help of my husband…) and here are a few tips I believe moms everywhere will appreciate:
Convert Your Garage into an Art Gallery
At my husband’s suggestion, we started “displaying” our kids’ artwork in the garage. Not only is it a great way to add some “color and interest” into a typically otherwise drab environment, it is also a great way to keep your child’s talents—front and center. My kids’ creations are the last thing I see when I am headed off to the office in the morning and the first things I see when I get home in the evening. My kids benefit in that they feel proud that their work is displayed for the whole world see (or just our whole family!).
Frame Your Favorites
I recently started framing my children’s really “good” paintings and drawings. I have dedicated a hallway in my home which is lined with my children’s artwork. I have bypassed the really pricey frames; with the special non-glare glass, beveled mattes, and specialty frames and found that I could achieve the same look (almost!) by stocking up when stores like Michael’s, Joann Fabrics, and Target, are having a sale on frames and mats. I have even picked up frames at the dollar store for – you guessed it – just a buck! In this case as well, I love to see my kid’s artwork framed and displayed and they love having their work “showcased”.
Portfolios of Love
I have also recently started a “portfolio” of my kids’ artwork. I simply scan our favorites (either at home or at our local Kinko’s), name and date each “piece”, and then once we reach a good number of pages of art, we bind it all together! If it is for a special gift, for grandma, dad, or other loved ones, we incorporate raffia and/or ribbon as the binding to give the “portfolio” at more “festive” look. These portfolios are also a great way for us mom to organize and assemble our children’s treasures for our own personal enjoyment as mom’s once our children are grown and when long summer day’s with our children are distant memories.
Here’s to Happy Mom Living;
Rhonda Moret
momliving.com
Rhonda Moret is a proud mom of 3 and part time blogger at www.momliving.com
Recommended Reading
- ISBN13: 9781601381460
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
You are creative, you are an artist or a photographer, you have a hobby or craft, something you absolutely love to do, and you are good at it. But you may be asking yourself, How do I market my work? How do I turn this into a real money making business? The answer lies between the covers of this new book. You will learn the steps you need to take to successfully sell your artwork or crafts even if you have no experience with marketing and even if you hate to sell. … More >>