FaveCrafts

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Cre8ting Time for Creativity

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We are lucky here at FaveCrafts to work in an environment that allows us to be inspired by beautiful things on a daily basis. With Pinterest growing bigger and bigger, it’s become even easier for all of us to be inspired by beautiful images from all around the web. The problem comes in finding the time to take all that inspiration and turn it into something beautiful! With working full time, taking care of the house, and spending time with family it can be difficult to find the time for anything else. The Craft and Hobby Association understands this and they want to change it! That’s why they started the Cre8time movement, to encourage all of us crafty people to make that hour or even just half hour a day where we can make the most of our creativity.

Cre8time teamed up with Michaels and reached out to some creative bloggers to challenge them to set aside 1 hour a day (yes, 1 whole hour) and use it to make something creative. Michaels even offered a gift card to get us started so I took that challenge.

Cre8time MovementSo off to Michaels I went to pick up supplies for my 8 days of crafting – and oh did I ever stock up (really, who goes to Michaels and ever comes out with only what you intended to buy?). The receipt looks crazy, but really I bought a lot of little items to make some small projects, because I really wanted to complete a few projects in my one hour a day.

I only ended up finishing a couple projects and starting another. Or rather, I actually finished a couple projects and started another! At first I thought “One hour a day for eight days? Piece of cake.” But it actually did turn out to be kind of a challenge to always fit in one hour a day. Especially since some days are much busier than others. I have to admit to you guys (don’t tell anyone) I cheated a little. There were a couple days where an hour was just impossible. I did try to make up the time by crafting longer on other days and in the end I got a little jewelry making done and I started on that knit sweater I’ve always wanted to make!

Jewelry Making

Knitting

It was an interesting and completely rewarding challenge to actually make time to be creative. I’m going to take a real stab at keeping it up. Maybe not an hour every day, because trying to track that became a little stressful, but at least a little bit every day. Knitting before bed, a bracelet after dinner, or even just some doodling while watching T.V. – who knows how much my creativity could grow with these actions!

Tell us: How do you make time for creativity in your every day life?

Beading Challenge Update: A Look at Your Progress!

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We’re halfway through the AllFreeJewelryMaking Beading Challenge of August 2012, and we’ve been having so much fun seeing the designs our readers are coming up with! We wanted to give you a little update on how things are coming along and remind you that there’s still plenty of time to enter!

If you’ve been keeping up with all the Beading Challenge news and info, then you already know that the painting we’ve chosen for inspiration is Acrobat and Young Harlequin by Pablo Picasso. We invited our readers (and anyone else who wants to join!) to create an original jewelry design inspired by this painting in some way, whether it was in the colors, the shapes, the textures, the mood – whatever inspires you to create!

Then all you have to do is upload a photo of your jewelry project to the Beading Challenge Flickr group, and you’re entered! It’s a fun way to challenge yourself to create something different, and it’s a chance to win a fabulous jewelry making prize! Let’s take a look at what some of you have come up with so far:

 

 

We love how each design is so different, yet each one so clearly corresponds to the painting. This is exactly what the Beading Challenge is all about! Seeing and appreciating all our different jewelry design styles and how each one of us interprets the same source of inspiration differently.

We’re thrilled with the results so far, but we still want to see more of you joining in the fun! You can easily make a project in an evening or even an hour and enter it in our Challenge. We want to further build this great jewelry making community we’ve started, so get creating and let’s see what you can come up with! (And if that’s not motivation enough for you, don’t forget by submitting a design in the Challenge, you’re entered for your chance to win the Harlequin Earrings Kit, featured in the September issue of BeadStyle magazine!)

We hope to see your jewelry design soon! For more details about the contest, check out our first Beading Challenge blog post. Good luck, and happy beading!

Have you started working on your Beading Challenge design yet? (You still have until August 31!)

 

Announcing the Craft-lympics: Showdown for the Ultimate Craft!

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Have you been glued to your television for the Olympics? Do you love rooting for your favorite countries? Well we’re bringing all that excitement to your favorite activity: crafting! That’s right, we’re having our own craft showdown for the best crafts. It’s not country versus country in our Craftlympics, it’s coming down to craft versus craft and there can only be one winner.

 

Don’t miss out on all the action of the Olympics by sitting back and cheering on your favorite sports, get active and vote for your favorite crafts.

Here’s how to participate:

  • Each day, August 5th through August 11th, we will pit two crafts against each other.
  • Click on your favorite craft project of the two and leave a comment on the website.
  • Your comment will count as a vote and an entry to our daily giveaway!
  • The craft with the most votes will move on to the next round.

Easy right? It doesn’t matter if you’re a sewer, knitter, crocheter, embroiderer, paper crafter, or omnicrafter, you want to see your favorites win don’t you? So be sure to join us starting tomorrow for the Craftlympics!

 

Giveaway!

FC Blog Giveaway Logo CHA Trend Report: Nuts for Neon + Swag Bag Giveaway!

We did mention giveaways didn’t we? Why, yes I think so. How could we possibly hold a fun blog event like this without offering our favorite readers prizes? We will be giving a special prize away every day based on the winning craft. All you have to do to enter is vote by commenting on your favorite craft in the head to head showdowns. Remember to check back everyday for your chance to win something!

 

Giveaway Rules:

Costume Contest at CreativFest – Win $1000 Dollars

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Duck Brand Is Doing A Halloween Costume Contest
Make Costumes Out of Duck Brand Tape

You’ve never seen costumes like these. Take a look at Duct Brand Halloween Costumes. I really liked the blue with the fish design on the suit. Not sure I could pull that off at prom but it would be the talk of the town!

 

Costume Challenge for CreativFest in Toronto

Join Wendy Russell, HGTV host of She’s Crafty on the Fashion Runway for some Halloween fun. Cheer on 3 pre-selected contestants with only 30 minutes, Westcott Non-Stick Titanium Bonded® scissors, Shurtech Duck Tape®, feathers, gemstones and more to create a fabulous, wacky costume! By applause, the audience will pick a winner for each of the four segments! Each segment winner receives a Westcott & Shurtech Gift Basket valued at $200 and the Grand Prize winner, judged on Sunday wins $1,000.00 …

I witnessed the one on the top with the scissors first hand at CHA in Chicago back in July 2011. The picture is doing no justice for the fabulousity that it has.

Westcott Brand is hosting this fun event so be sure you pay attention to the entry rules for this tape-a-licious event!

Don’t forget to check out lots of free crochet patterns at http://www.allfreecrochet.com.

Coming To Chicago

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Mikey and Diva Dan from The Crochet Crowd are heading to Chicago for the semi-annual Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Conference. It’s the first time for both of these Canadian Designers to head to such a massive event surrounded by crafting industry professionals.

Post Card Brochure

At the show, they are facing off in a Canadian Designer Challenge where they have created a mixed media presentation to be judged at the show. Up against 7 other top designers of Canada, including Television Host Wendy Russell of She’s So Crafty. This show is only for retailers to attend as we all are presenting ideas to inspire consumers.

Click Here to see our exact challenge at chicago.  Be Inspired – Special Event at CHA 2011.

While in Chicago, Mikey is meeting with executives & editors of AllFreeCrochet, AllFreeKnitting, FaveCrafts, and CutRateCrafts for the very first time. It is an exciting journey as Mikey has participated with these fine online websites for over a year in celebrating free resources to consumers.

The Canadian Dual, (Mikey and Diva Dan) are participating in several workshops while at CHA in order to better improve resources and crafting connections that happen all year long.

Last but not least, one of the biggest events they are participating in is the Designer Showcase. Up with top notch celebrities and inspiring individuals, they are displaying a table to intrique publishers, media, and other folks in behind the scenes that make this community tick. It is their hope to be introduced to new opportunities as they move forward in providing free content online to the millions of viewers that turn to them to inspire creativity.

FaveCrafts 365 Hexagon Box Challenge! SeaLife!

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As artists, crafters, and creative types, we can take a few liberties, and today mine is using a capitol “L” for SeaLife. The idea behind this box came from Jumasto who suggested an aquarium motif. That’s right up my alley, since I have a huge salt water aquarium for my shark, Joy. Plus I love snorkeling, scuba diving, paddle boarding, and anything to do with the oceans. My husband and I often walk the beach looking for seeds, sea glass, and shells. We see a ton of seaweed too! Thus, I had a great time recreating some seaweed for this box using one of my favorite supplies… yarn! I hope you enjoy my last box in this challenge. Thank you so much, Jumasto!

I had a blast making the boxes. I hope to have another box challenge soon! Right now I’m Sizzix-less after giving my beloved Sizzix machine to my friend, Sheryl Bordon, the host of Creative Living on PBS. But as soon as I can find one of those amazing Sizzix Vagabonds, I’ll be back in business!!!

To see the original FaveCrafts 365 Hexagon Box Challenge click here.

To see Maria’s  little reminder video click here.

For written instructions for this project click here.

FaveCrafts 365 is your daily v-log report from FaveCrafts.com. We’ll keep you up to date on everything going on from new projects posted, giveaways, product reviews, and more with FaveCrafts.com Resident Craft Expert and In-House Designer, Maria Nerius.  Let us know what you want to know!

FaveCrafts 365 Hexagon Box Challenge! Flowers and Butterflies!

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This was the easiest box for me to create, and I think it’s because I just happen to know Gina Badeaux as she’s a dear friend I met on Facebook. Gina is a very talented painter and artist who has shared some of her talent with me by sending me ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) for the FaveCrafts.com upcoming appearance on Creative Living, a wonderful TV show on PBS. From her art I learned she loves flowers, butterflies, and soft touches. I went girly for her! Thank you Gina for all your support and for being a loyal FaveCrafts 365 viewer!

To see the original FaveCrafts 365 Hexagon Box Challenge click here.

To see Maria’s  little reminder video click here.

For written instructions for this project click here.

FaveCrafts 365 is your daily v-log report from FaveCrafts.com. We’ll keep you up to date on everything going on from new projects posted, giveaways, product reviews, and more with FaveCrafts.com Resident Craft Expert and In-House Designer, Maria Nerius.  Let us know what you want to know!

FaveCrafts 365 Hexagon Box Challenge! Surprise Pin Cushion!

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Another box created for our Hexagon Box Challenge! This idea came from Debbi. She loves to craft, and she always keeps organization in mind, so many of her crafts are organizational in nature. With organization in mind and also the fact that I seem to misplace my pins and needles all the time, I made this box a surprise pin cushion! My mother-in-law, Elizabeth, grabbed this box almost as soon as it was made. She collects boxes and just loved this one. It is now in her entryway table! Thank you, Debbi!

To see the original FaveCrafts 365 Hexagon Box Challenge click here.

To see Maria’s  little reminder video click here.

For written instructions for this project click here.

FaveCrafts 365 is your daily v-log report from FaveCrafts.com. We’ll keep you up to date on everything going on from new projects posted, giveaways, product reviews, and more with FaveCrafts.com Resident Craft Expert and In-House Designer, Maria Nerius.  Let us know what you want to know!

FaveCrafts 365 Hexagon Box Challenge! Bee’s Knees Box!

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This is the second box created from our Hexagon Box Challenge. Sue D. is a bee keeper and suggested that bees might be a great motif for the hexagon box which reminded her of a honeycomb! What a great idea! I would never have thought of it as a hexagon–they always remind me of stop signs. Creating with others is one of the best ways to really stretch your skills and ideas. I love brainstorming with other crafters. I always learn so much. Thank you, Sue!

To see the original FaveCrafts 365 Hexagon Box Challenge click here.

To see Maria’s  little reminder video click here.

For written instructions for this project click here.

FaveCrafts 365 is your daily v-log report from FaveCrafts.com. We’ll keep you up to date on everything going on from new projects posted, giveaways, product reviews, and more with FaveCrafts.com Resident Craft Expert and In-House Designer, Maria Nerius.  Let us know what you want to know!

FaveCrafts 365 Hexagon Box Challenge 1 Puppy Love Keepsake Box

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I threw out a challenge for help to create with a plain hexagon box, then I got a little behind my deadlines and was gently reminded I had some work to do. Here is the first creation from that challenge!

Watch the video to see step-by-step how-to or read below. I explain how I got a little sidetracked when I couldn’t find rick-rack to use. Plus there is a bonus video clip where I explain how to locate a hard-to-find material or supply!


Puppy Love Keepsake Box

Many thanks to Darby for suggesting an idea to create with this hexagon box.  She had lots of great ideas and the zig-zag of rick-rack was my inspiration.

By Maria Nerius and Darby Lorhrding

Materials

  • Sizzix Bigz Pro Die Hexagon Box
  • Die cutting machine
  • Dog themed paper (shown: K&Company)
  • Dog collar charm
  • Puppy Love or coordinating sticker
  • Distressed Ink: Vintage Photo, Tea, Scattered Straw
  • Artist sponge
  • Wire or ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Instructions

1. Die cut the hexagon box, fold on scores, fold into box, adhere all connecting flaps (not that this box has 3 flaps that are inserted into the box at top to close, do not glue these flaps. Allow to dry.

2. Tie ribbon or loop wire around clip of dog collar charm. Trim to 1″. Place raw end of ribbon or wire inside of box at front top flap. Apply glue just under this flap, inside of box, fold flap down. This holds the dog collar charm to front of box.

3. Place sticker, Puppy Love, to inside of box top. Using an artist sponge dab the Distressed Inks all over the inside of box starting with the lightest hue of ink and finishing with the darkest. This is an optional step. The paper I selected to make this box had an antique look and feel. I used the Distressed Inks to coordinate this inside rather than leaving it stark white.

4. Fill with dog treats, a pretty dog collar or other surprise for your furry friend!

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