FaveCrafts

1000s of free craft projects, home decor ideas and DIY tips

Meet the Editor: Kathryn

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Well hi there! My name is Kathryn, and I’m the editor of AllFreeChristmasCrafts.com. I actually started here as an intern, so you’ll find my handiwork on sites like AllFreeHolidayCrafts, FaveQuilts, and FaveCrafts (I’m everywhere!). I was born and raised in the northern suburbs of little old Wheeling, Illinois and still live there with plenty of relatives close by. I’m a family girl with two amazing parents, 3 of the best brothers a girl could ask for, and a chocolate lab named Hershey who I can always find underfoot (or near my food).  I recently graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in English Literature, and I’m so happy that I get to share my love of all things artsy and craftsy with you all.

Between myself and three other children, there needed to be a lot of activity to keep us occupied. Both my mother and one of my aunts (who showed me how to make my first Christmas ornament) were teachers, so I learned a lot about using anything and everything from them. My brothers and I spent our afternoons turning cardboard boxes into TVs and making as much of a mess as possible. I also was a Girl Scout for 8 years and a student with tons of projects that required creative thinking. A lot of last minute trips to craft stores really made their impression. When I work on projects, I like to look at unrelated objects and figure out how to put them together, or how pieces of something can be reinvented when you break them away from where they originally came from.

I’m a fan of anything artistic and entertaining. I’m a bit of a pop culture buff, I try to keep up with fashion, and love learning and connecting with new cultures and people around the world. I’ve always got to have noise from a music player or the TV, with my favorite shows and movies always being cartoons (total nerd here). I love animals, especially doggies and owls. I’m also very passionate about dance, with my favorite currently being ballroom (try it!).

Since I’m all over the craft sites these days, I’d like to show you some of my favorite projects. Enjoy!

Christmas Crafts

Holiday Crafts

Craft Projects

Jewelry Crafts

Crochet Patterns

Knitting Patterns

Sewing Patterns

Quilting Patterns

Crochet Afghan Patterns

Kids Crafts

Link Love: Country-Style Crafts

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Rustic, country-themed crafts are having a major moment right now. Many of these projects incorporate wood in some way and require materials such as twine and thread. What’s nice about rustic crafts is that you don’t have to live on a farm or even in the suburbs to create these projects. Even the most urban city slicker can find the supplies needed to create these down-home projects.

There are so many ways to incorporate touches of the country into your own home decor. Now is the perfect time to capture the season and create your own Rustic Fall Vases. You can upcycle empty jars for this project and fill them with season flowers.

Don’t forget to add a few decorative pieces to your wall as well. A cool gift for a down-home grandpa is the Rustic Cabin Plaque. Transfer a meaningful image onto a piece of wood – it’s a great alternative to giving a simple picture frame and it can be hung on a wall! Even the most urban space can be turned into a country escape with a Carved Wood Frame Plaque. Again, wood plays a huge roll in country crafts, and this project really captures that country feel.

There’s something so refreshing about the simplicity of the lines and shapes of these decorative pieces. People travel to the country to get back to nature and clear their head, and each of these projects really captures that sense of calm. There’s nothing fancy or over the top about a wood box or a frame made from twigs and interestingly, that’s what makes them stand out. Rustic crafts also harken back to a simple time. These are the kinds of pieces you would have found in your grandparent’s country cabin, not in some modern home from 2012.

 

 

Do you like the rustic craft trend? Why or why not?

 

July Blog Hop: Summer Craft Ideas

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Welcome to the FaveCrafts Blog Hop, where you get to showcase your work! What did you make this month? Something summery and fun?  Show us your favorite summer themed craft blog post from the month, or make something and write it up just for the occasion! We want to see your crochet and knit projects, sewing ideas, holiday decorations and home decor, kids’ crafts, and more!

This month we’re going to pick our favorite 3 photos to feature in a newsletter! We’ll show off your beautiful summer project and link to your blog as a way of thanking you for contributing!  The linky list will be open for one week, until Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 11:59 PM. Get your links in by then for a chance to be featured. The winner will also be announced here on the FaveCrafts Blog and on Facebook.

How to Participate:

  1. Write a blog post on your own blog showcasing your summer projects. You can talk about the crafting process, write up a tutorial, or merely show off the finished project.
  2. Add your link to this post by clicking on “Add your link” at the bottom of the screen and following the instructions. Make sure you link to your specific blog post, not your homepage, and give it a caption.
  3. Remember to copy the FaveCrafts Blog Hop button from below and paste it into your blog post, linked to this FaveCrafts Blog Hop post, so that everyone who reads your blog can see that you’ve been featured on FaveCrafts!
  4. The Link List will close at 11:59 PM CST on July 8th, at which point no new links can be entered.

We’ll be hosting a blog hop right here every month, so be sure to return and link up each month.

**Don’t have a craft project for this Blog Hop but want to be notified via email about future events? Sign up for our blogger list and we will let you know when the next Blog Hop is up so you can join the fun!



Link Love: Amazing Washi Tape

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Washi tape is just about the coolest thing since sliced bread. Have you ever worked with it before? It makes paper crafting so simple since you don’t have to finagle paper and adhesive; rather, the two become one in washi tape! Since your colors and patterns are conveniently pre-adhesived and on a roll, you can spend more time creating and less time fumbling with your supplies. This is starting to sound like an infomercial, but trust me when I tell you that once you go washi you’ll never go back! In addition to the obvious craft projects to use washi tape with–scrapbook layouts, handmade cards, and mixed media paper crafts–you can also use the colorful, whimsical tape in lots of unexpected ways too. Read on to see some of the best ideas I discovered from around the web.

  1. Washi Tape Treat Bags from Ucreate
  2. Washi Tape Bunting from Poppytalk
  3. Wrapping Ideas with Washi Tape from Tea for Joy
  4. Washi Tape Table Runner from Santa Barbara Chic
  5. Drink Stirrer Flags with Washi Tape from Martha Stewart
  6. DIY Washi Tape Laptop Keyboard from Her New Leaf
  7. Washi Tape Spoons from Oops, I Craft My Pants
  8. Washi Tape Twist Ties from Free Time Folics
  9. Washi Tape Trivet from Design Dreams Japan

April Blog Hop: What Did You Craft This Month?

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Welcome to the FaveCrafts Blog Hop, where you get to showcase your work! What did you make this month? Show us your favorite craft blog post from the month, or make something and write it up just for the occasion! We want to see your crochet and knit projects, sewing ideas, holiday decorations and home decor, kids’ crafts, and more!

This month we’re going to pick our favorite photo to feature in a newsletter! The linky list will be open for one week, until Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 11:59 PM. Get your links in by then for a chance to be featured. The winner will also be announced here on the FaveCrafts Blog and on Facebook.

How to Participate:

  1. Write a blog post on your own blog showcasing your projects. You can talk about the crafting process, write up a tutorial, or merely show off the finished project.
  2. Add your link to this post by clicking on “Add your link” at the bottom of the screen and following the instructions. Make sure you link to your specific blog post, not your homepage, and give it a caption.
  3. Remember to copy the FaveCrafts Blog Hop button from below and paste it into your blog post, linked to this FaveCrafts Blog Hop post, so that everyone who reads your blog can see that you’ve been featured on FaveCrafts!
  4. The Link List will close at 11:59 PM CST on May 6, at which point no new links can be entered.

We’ll be hosting a blog hop right here every month, so be sure to return and link up each month. Check out last month’s hop too!

**Don’t have a craft project for this Blog Hop but want to be notified via email about future events? Sign up for our blogger list and we will let you know when the next Blog Hop is up so you can join the fun!



Link Love: Love the Earth

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Don’t you love crafting with recycled materials like old sweaters, toothbrushes that have seen better days, empty wine bottles, mesh produce bags, and pop cans? It makes me feel warm and fuzzy when I get to create crafts to my heart’s content without damaging the earth. In honor of Earth Day, I put together this round-up of eco-friendly and earth loving craft projects. You can make many of these craft projects with items you’d find in your recycling bin or garbage can (or preferably before they make their way to your garbage can!). Show your love and support for the earth by making one of these Earth Day themed crafts, which are a great starting point for showing kids what it means to be green.

  1. Earth Day Cake Pops from Vanilla & Lace
  2. Magazine Page Flower Garland from Zakka Life
  3. Earth Day Tree Craft from I Heart Crafty Things
  4. Bread Tag Jewelry from Mich. L in LA
  5. Finger Paint Earth Plates from Just for Fun (no longer available)
  6. Toilet Paper Roll Beads from No Time for Flashcards
  7. Egg Carton Flowers from Make and Takes
  8. Milk Carton Bird Feeder from Going Green with Noah
  9. Rainbow Earth Day Marshmallow Pops from The Decorated Cookie

Link Love: Flowers from Fabric

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Are you as ready for spring as I am? I’m always ready for fabric flowers, and luckily these flowers are perfect no matter what the weather’s like by you! They won’t wilt in the hot summer sun or freeze in the winter. Since they’re faux, you can enjoy them all year long. I love making fabric flowers to decorate my bags and hats, or to wear in my hair, as a brooch, as a gift topper, or just because! There are so many different kinds of fabric flowers to make, and almost all of them are quick and easy. Some are a little more advanced for crafters looking for a bit of a challenge. This spring, craft up some pretty flowers to spruce up someone’s day.

  1. Felt Dahlia Pin from Not Martha Via Holidash
  2. Little Lace Flower from Aly & Ash
  3. Giant Hair Flower from Trey and Lucy
  4. Gathered Flower from Jones Design Company
  5. Felt Rose Bud Bouquet from Creative Jewish Mom
  6. 5-Minute Fabric Poppy from Creature Comforts
  7. Fabric Flower Headband Tutorial from The House of Smiths
  8. Fabric Lotus Flower from Create and Delegate
  9. Poppy Boutonniere from Grosgrain

Link Love: Easter Crafts

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Easter is only a few days away! Are you ready? If you’re hosting Easter this year, I’m guessing you have room for some more Easter decor. Spruce up your home with a new wreath, Easter egg craft, or centerpiece for your table. Easter is a time of rebirth, so craft something full of beautiful pastel spring colors! Celebrate spring and the Easter season with one of these cheerful, last minute Easter crafts.

  1. Easy Easter Table Runner from Make It Do
  2. Magazine Page Cross from Saved by Love Creations
  3. Peeps Wreath from Tried & True
  4. Easter Bunny Onesie from Fancy House Road
  5. Textured Easter Eggs Art from Gummy Lump
  6. Bunny Finger Puppets from Purl Bee
  7. Paper Easter Cones from Happy Clippings
  8. Colorful Thread Eggs from Craftberry Bush
  9. Easter Egg Garland from Crafty Endeavor

March Blog Hop: Fashionable Crafts + Giveaway!

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Editor’s Note: Voting has begun! Get your votes in by 11:59 PM CST on Thursday, March 22, 2012 for a chance to win the prize!

Welcome to the FaveCrafts Blog Hop, where you get to showcase your work! This month’s theme is Fashionable Crafts, to go along with our National Craft Month theme! Show us your coolest fashionable craft that you’ve ever made (or make something new and blog about it for the occasion!). We want to see your handmade jewelry, upcycled clothing, knit and crochet wearables, DIY accessories, and refashions.

This month we’re giving away a prize to one lucky blog hop participant. Here’s how it works: recently we started using the “like” feature on our blog hops, meaning you can click to “like” someone’s project, much like you would on Facebook. For this month’s hop, the person whose project gets the most “likes” will win a prize! So link up and spread the word so your project gets voted up! The winner will receive a fashion crafts gift basket! All links must be in by Sunday, March 18 at 11:59 PM CST. Voting starts after all submissions are in, and ends on Thursday, March 22 at 11:59 PM CST. The winner will be announced here on the FaveCrafts Blog.

How to Participate:

  1. Write a blog post on your own blog showcasing your projects. You can talk about the crafting process, write up a tutorial, or merely show off the finished project.
  2. Add your link to this post by clicking on “Click Here to Enter” at the bottom of the screen and following the instructions. Make sure you link to your specific blog post, not your homepage, and give it a caption.
  3. Remember to copy the FaveCrafts Blog Hop button from below and paste it into your blog post, linked to this FaveCrafts Blog Hop post, so that everyone who reads your blog can see that you’ve been featured on FaveCrafts!
  4. The Link List will close at 11:59 PM CST on March 18, at which point no new links can be entered.
  5. Voting closes at 11:59 PM CST on March 22, at which point all “like” votes must be in. We will announce the winner here on the blog.

We’ll be hosting a blog hop right here on the 15th of every month, so be sure to return and link up each month. Check out last month’s hop too!

**Don’t have a craft project for this Blog Hop but want to be notified via email about future events? Sign up for our blogger list and we will let you know when the next Blog Hop is up so you can join the fun!

*Note: Only folks in the U.S. and Canada are eligible to win this prize.




Link Love: Be a DIY Fashionista

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National Craft Month is about half over already, but we’re still going strong! This week’s theme is DIY Fashionista crafts–handmade jewelry, accessories, dress patterns, bags to make, hair doo-dads, and more. Below you’ll find some of the coolest and trendiest wearable craft tutorials from around the net this week. But don’t forget to check out our very own wearable crafts, including shoe makeovers, crochet sweaters, and sewing patterns for kids’ clothes!

  1. Bow Headband from Stars for Streetlights
  2. Pom Pom Bib Necklace from Little Miss Momma
  3. Fluorescent Duct Tape Feather Earrings from The Home of Brit
  4. Felt Flower Scarf from Watch Me Daddy
  5. Big Yellow Purse from A Girl and a Glue Gun
  6. Ballerina Onesie from Bubbly Nature Creations
  7. Bubble Skirt from Simple Simon & Co.
  8. DIY Marjorelle Anthro Necklace from Welcome to the Good Life
  9. DIY Bow Clutch from Elm Street Life

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

Thrifty