FaveCrafts

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Geek Crafts: Downton Abbey-Inspired “Team Dowager” Badge Tutorial

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You’ve arrived the Geek Crafts column, your weekly dose of geeky goodness with Haley Pierson-Cox from The Zen of Making!

Now that we’ve been talking nerdy for a few weeks, I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you that I’m completely obsessed with Downton Abbey. Not a day goes by that I don’t find myself wanting to hug Mr. Bates, scream at Lady Mary, or kiss the Dowager Countess full on the mouth! If you feel the same way, here’s a little something to keep you occupied while you wait for season three to start. I mean, who can resist the Dowager Countess and her amazing hats?!

Materials

  • Team Dowager hat template PDF
  • Card stock, 1 piece in a light color
  • 3-ply embroidery floss, 12 inches each of 3 complementary colors
  • Embroidery needle
  • Straight pin
  • Small foam block (a large flat eraser will also work)
  • Scotch tape
  • Colored permanent markers
  • Paper scissors
  • Embroidery scissors
  • Button maker or sticker machine (optional)

The following tutorial will show you how to make one Team Dowager badge.

The printed template size is 1 ¾”, which is sized to fit a standard 1 ½” button maker. If you don’t have a button maker on hand, the template can also be used as-is to create a paper badge. Instructions for both options are included below.

To make multiple badges, print additional templates on each piece of cardstock.

Step 1
Print the Team Dowager hat template on cardstock and cut it out with your paper scissors. Then, using a permanent marker, fill in the hat shape with the color of your choice.

Step 2
Select your first embroidery floss color and fasten one end to the back of the template with scotch tape. Thread your embroidery needle with the free end.

Step 3
Decorate the hat with your favorite embroidery stitches. I used french knot, stem stitch, and petal stitch, but you can use any stitch that suits your fancy!

To avoid creasing the paper as you embroider, place the template on top of a foam block, then use a straight pin to punch the holes before making each stitch.

Step 4
Continue adding stitches until your hat is thoroughly decorated. When you’re done, cut off the excess floss length and use scotch tape to secure the ends to the back.

Step 5
Once your hat is finished, use a button maker or a sticker machine to make a wearable badge. (I used my 1 ½” button maker to make mine.)

If you don’t have a button maker or sticker machine on hand, seal the top with a decoupage medium like Mod Podge, then glue a pin back to the other side.

Are you on Team Dowager too? Leave a comment below and tell me how you’re going to decorate your badge!

What’s Your Mad Men Style? 8 Retro DIY Fashions

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The season 5 premiere of the show “Mad Men” is this Sunday and I’m ridiculously excited! It’s been over a year since last season’s cliff-hanger ending and I know the premiere is going to be packed full of drama.

But even if you don’t watch the show (which you should) or have just tuned in a few times, there’s still one big reason why you should be excited about the return of this 1960s-set show.
What’s that, you ask?

The fashion.

Every single episode of this drama is packed with so many amazing retro and vintage outfits, you’ll feel like you’re actually living in 1960s New York.  Now doesn’t that sound like fun?!

From Betty’s full skirts to Peggy’s bow-accented cardigans to Joan’s sexy, curve-hugging dresses, the costumes on this show are spot-on period perfect in every way. The fashions are so visually interesting that they’ve inspired a resurgence of retro fashion. Stores like Banana Republic and Brooks Brothers now have their own “Mad Men” inspired clothing collections.

But what if you want to add some retro-vintage “Mad Men” fashion to your closet without going broke?  Since we’re all crafty people here, might I suggest making your own vintage-inspired clothes?  Plenty of craft bloggers and regular Janes have already started making retro outfits for themselves and are showing them off (and sharing their tutorials and tips) online.

I’ve rounded up some of the best DIY vintage styles I could find, but you should also check out all of the “Mad Men” fashion ideas on Pinterest. There are so many fabulously chic retro outfits you can make!

Betty Draper Inspired Outfits:

This Festival Fancy Vintage Top crochet pattern is actually from 1956 and is totally something Betty would wear, especially with that belt!


This full, gathered skirt is perfect for Betty, who loves showing off her figure with flattering waistlines.

This knit pullover sweater is just the sort of thing we’d see Betty wear on the rare occasion when she’s not out socializing.

Peggy Olson Inspired Outfits:

With its high waistband and big bow, this fitted pencil skirt is without a doubt something Peggy would have in her closet.


This pleated skirt is another item that would be straight out of Peggy’s wardrobe. It’s so playful and innocent and fits her character to a tee.

Joan Holloway Inspired Outfits:

This gorgeous, figure-flattering sweater captures Joan’s fashion sense perfectly. When you wear this knit top, you’ll feel elegant and confident, just like Joan!

The feminine shape and bold color of this curve-hugging dress are so Joan! Nothing says the fabulous Ms. Holloway like a sexy silhouette!

More Mad Men Fashions:

This playful fitted cardigan is actually named after one of the “Mad Men” characters: little Sally Draper, Betty’s daughter.

After that little retro fashion show, now I’m even more excited for the season premiere (if that’s even possible)!  How excited are you?!?  Also, if you’re hosting a Mad Men party for the season premiere, be sure to check out these 60s inspired dishes that could have come right out of Betty’s kitchen!

 

What’s your retro style?  Are you a Betty, a Peggy or a Joan?

 

Link Love: How to Throw an Oscars Party

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The Oscars are going down this Sunday night! Who’s excited to see who wins? I love watching the Academy Awards every year, and even though I’ll probably be watching them alone this year, I always dream of hosting an Oscars party complete with themed food, decorations, and voting. I found some cool ideas for Oscars-themed crafty food, Oscar party ideas and decorations, and printables to use at your Oscars viewing party. If you’re not hosting a party this year, bookmark this page to use for next year’s shindig. You can try these party ideas for any Oscars night, no matter who’s nominated. One thing’s for sure: if you host an Oscars viewing party using these crafty ideas, you’ll be nominated for best party host!

  1. Oscars Party Theme and Printables from Hostess with the Mostess
  2. Fantasy Oscars Draft Game from Formal Fringe
  3. Oscars Statue Cookies from Bakerella
  4. Oscars Cupcakes from Namesake Design
  5. Red Carpet Dress Kids Craft from Babble
  6. Popcorn Cupcakes from Give Peas a Chance
  7. Oscar Party Tablescape from Food Network
  8. Ken Doll Oscar Statues from Everyday Celebrating
  9. Printable Ballot from Studio DIY

11 Music Crafts Inspired by the Grammys!

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This Sunday, everyone will be glued to their TV screens waiting to see who’ll come out victorious… Yesss, I know the Super Bowl was last weekend; I’m talking about the Grammys! Glammed up rock stars, pop princesses, rap sensations, indie idols, and everyone in between will be gracing the red carpet with their popular presence as we all gawk, gasp, and glare. Fun, right?! You know us crafters, we’ll use any occasion as an excuse for a themed craft party. That’s why we’ve gathered these music-inspired crafts to get you geared up for Grammy night! Whether we’re rolling with Adele, gunning for Gaga, or betting on Bon Iver, I think we can all agree on at least one thing–11 Music Crafts Inspired by the Grammys sounds pretty sweet!

Sheet Music Craft Projects

Sure, sheet music is the blueprint of beautiful songs, but it’s also pretty to look at! If you’re into vintage-esque decor, you’ll love these sheet music crafts.

These Music Sheet Christmas Ornaments (shown) have a charming antique look to them. Use the sheet music from your favorite Grammy-nominated songs to give it a customized touch!

Preserve your favorite song forever with this Music Sphere Ornament. Decorate it to honor the musical artist of your choice! (Katy Perry cupcake-style ornaments anyone?)

Use this Sheet Music Wreath to welcome your guests with beautiful music. You could commemorate an entire album with this sheet music craft–maybe the Album of the Year Grammy winner!

This Musical Christmas Wreath is the same concept but with a holly jolly twist. You could easily alter this gorgeous wreath craft with different details to make it appropriate for any occasion. Just add extra glitz and glitter for Grammy night!

DIY CD and iPod Holder Patterns

If you’re a true fan, you’ve gotta have your favorite Grammy-nominated star’s music with you at all times. With these easy iPod and CD holders, you can take Coldplay in the car and Rihanna on your run!

A DIY iPod Shuffle Band (shown) or an Arm Band iPod Holder would make a great accessory for the music lover on the go. If Grammy-nominated Foo Fighters get you pumped up while you’re working out, just slap one of these iPod holders on, and you’re ready to rock.


Let nominees Adele and Harry Connick Jr. croon away your commuter woes. This Funky Fresh CD Holder or this Car CD Holder Tutorial (shown) will keep all your tunes organized and within arm’s reach as you cruise and jam.

 

Other Musical Crafts for Music Lovers

Not in the groove yet? Here are some other easy crafts to make that will have your creative soul singing!

The Music Lover’s Necklace (shown) is the essential accessory for any Grammy-lovin’ gal. Top off your ensemble with this treble-clef-embellished pendant, and you’ll be ready to strut your stuff alongside Nicki Minaj on the red carpet.

Rock stars sure do clean up nice on Grammy night. Make sure you’re looking fresh too with this Eighth Notes Illusion Face Cloth knitting pattern.

In case your favorite Grammy winner makes a particularly moving acceptance speech, you’ll want this Musical Roses Tissue Box nearby. With this crochet craft, you’ll be all set when Mumford and Sons dedicate their Grammy to their moms.

If none of these musical crafts strike a chord with you, don’t worry! We’ve got tons more over at FaveCrafts and on all of our other sister sites to suit rockers, pop fans, and everyone in between!

So who’s your favorite Grammy nominee? Is there anyone you wish had been nominated who wasn’t?

Friendship Bracelet Frenzy

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I just returned from a week long trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where I counseled a cabin of high school girls at sleepaway camp. The week was exhausting but pretty incredible none the less. I’ll admit, I’m a bit out of touch with what it was like to be a high schooler, with the stress of boys and college preparations a thing of the past. One thing that I resonated with, however, is the meaning of a heartfelt friendship bracelet! The girls were weaving and knotting like crazy all week – churning out multiple bracelets for their friends on a daily basis. So if you hadn’t gotten the memo: friendship bracelets are IN! I hadn’t made a friendship bracelet, probably since before high school, but the idea of making a bracelet for someone as a symbol of your friendship is still pretty cool in my book.

Many of the high school girls I hung out with this past week were capable of creating some pretty intricate designs for their friendship bracelets, and I was still stuck at the very basic level. But the idea behind the bracelet was still there. Here’s a new kind of friendship bracelet at Favecrafts, the design has a sort of woven, macrame feel to it and uses flexwire. Have fun creating bracelets for all your nearest and dearest!

I Love the 80s

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Anyone who was born in the 80s can appreciate the original Nintendo Entertainment System. There was nothing better than the original Mario Bros. game, which also came with duck hunt, a classic old school shooting game. I still love it. In fact, my boyfriend and I still own an original Nintendo (though we rarely play because 80s video games aren’t exactly compatible with plasma TVs). So in honor of my love for Mario and NES, here is a great Mario crochet blanket by Gege Crochet.

“Drew Carey is Suprisingly Easy to Embroider”

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You may not know this about me, but I am a HUGE fan of The Price is Right. I started watching at age 3 with my babysitter and was determined from then on to meet Bob Barker, get on the show, play Plinko and take home wads of cash. Mock me all you want, but the summer after my freshman year of college, I traveled to LA and waited in line for over 6 hours to be in the audience. Being at a taping took away all the glitz and glamour of the show and I didn’t win a dime, but I sat four rows away from Bob Barker and that was good enough for me. And even though I don’t think Carey can ever live up to Barker, Sarah of Totally Severe did a great job with this embroidered portrait.

For more of our favorite embroidery projects, check out our Embroidery section. Make some Felt Corset Sachets for your drawers.

DIY Goes to the Movies with Coraline

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Slated to come out February 6th, Coraline is a new stop-motion animation movie from Director Henry Selick (best known for directing The Nightmare Before Christmas). The movie is about a young girl (Dakota Fanning) who steps through her closet into an alternate version of her life. The other life closely mirrors her own, but is more fantastical. What is most interesting about the movie, however, is that all 150 sets and 250 puppets used in the movie are handmade. From popcorn cherry blossoms to nylon fishing line body hair, the crew does it all. Check out this Wired article that provides detailed images and explanations of how the set was designed. You can also check out the movie trailer here.

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