FaveCrafts

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

Link Love: Superhero Crafts

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I remember spending Saturday mornings with my younger brother watching Power Rangers and Batman.  It was our weekly ritual.  My brother, who was (and still is!) obsessed with Batman, had every toy and gadget Batman had, from the utility belt to the rubber Batman mask.  His collection of Batman figurines spent hours in our bathtub, rescuing my Barbies from a certain water-whirling death.

With the upcoming release of the new Batman movie this summer, as well as the more recent releases of The Avengers, Iron Man, and Spiderman, superheroes are all the rage right now!

Lovers of The Avengers can make this awesome Captain America Mask to wear for Halloween or just for fun!  Avengers fans are also sure to love these adorable Avengers Cake Pops.  They would be perfect for a little boy’s birthday party.  And if you or your little one like The Last Airbender, be sure to check out this Aang Hat.  It’s an easy crochet hat to make and is great to wear anytime.

Of course, my personal favorite is this Dark Knight Bathman Towel.  I wish I had this growing up!  It would have made bath time a blast!

Now you can be a crafting superhero with these awesome superhero crafts that I found on the Web (no thanks to Spiderman, sad to say!).  Leave a comment and tell us which one of these is your favorite!

 

  1. The Hulk Finger Puppet from CrochetBot 3000
  2. Batman Mask from Living with Punks
  3. Superhero Valentines from Little Bit Funky
  4. Avengers Bookmarks from Crafts by Amanda
  5. Superhero Cape from My Own Road
  6. Superhero Peg People from Nap Time Crafts
  7. Superman Doll from The Project Corner
  8. Spiderman Ripple Afghan from AngelCrafts
  9. Iron Man Fingerless Gloves from Louie’s Loops

Link Love: Get Wrapped Up in Yarn Crafts!

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In celebration of the launch of our new blog, Stitch and Unwind, we’re bringing you a great collection of yarn crafts from all over the Web!  And even if you don’t know how to knit or crochet, there are a lot of fun projects that you can make with yarn…no needles or hooks required!

Spring is a great time to learn lace knitting.  The weather lends itself perfectly to light and airy scarves, cardigans, and wraps.  This Green Shimmer Scarf is perfect for a day out at the farmer’s market or a mid afternoon walk in the park.  It’s easy to make and the bright green color is perfect for spring and summer.

Speaking of spring, the time to clean and organize is upon us…so what better way to use up old yarn scraps and organize your nick knacks than to create easy and fun crocheted bowls and baskets?  This Beaded Jute Basket is great for holding your keys and glasses.  Place it by the front door so you always have a place to toss keys, change, and other small items.  It will keep you organized and prevent you from misplacing your keys!

And even if you have little to no experience with knitting or crochet, you can still create beautiful home decor items by crafting with yarn!  You can use yarn to color and decorate everything from wreaths to wooden letters.  This Yarn Ball Wreath, for example, is an easy and fun project that you can display any time of year.  It would make a fun gift for those grandmas who love to shower you with knitted hats, scarves, and gloves!

So if you’re still looking for a way to celebrate National Craft Month, dig out that yarn stash and browse through our favorite yarn craft finds from all over the Internet!

1.  Knitted Espadrilles from Floofle

2.  Crocheted Pop Top Flowers from Eumary Pinto

3.  Yarn Eggs from Family Fun

4.  Crochet Chain Scarf from Zoom Yummy

5.  Yarn Wrapped Letters from Let Birds Fly

6.  Tao Silk Scarf from Jimmy Beans Wool

7.  Yarn Candle Jars from Family Chic

8.  Coffee Mug Jacket from MK Carroll

9.  Fun Flower Loom from Cult of Crochet

 

 

 

Get Inspired to Create with Giveaway from FaveCrafts

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There’s no better way to show your love and appreciation for someone than to make them something by hand.  Whether it’s baking cookies or knitting a scarf, a handmade gift can go a long way.

In her sweet book, Gifted: Lovely Little Things to Knit and Crochet, author Mags Kandis provides tons of ideas for handmade gifts for all occasions.  From holidays to birthdays, thank you gifts to crafts to make for someone who is ill, this colorful book has it all.

We at FaveCrafts loved Gifted so much that we want to “gift it” on to you!  In this book you’ll find everything from wearable accessories to home decor.  There’s ideas for people who love to knit, people who are hooked on crochet, and even a few projects for those who love to sew, bake, or felt.  This is the ultimate gift giving guide for those who enjoy handmade treasures.

Personally, I love making things for people…but sometimes I’m just at a loss as to what to make.  My brother is near impossible to shop for, and my sister likes too many things to narrow it down to a few ideas!  That’s why I love Gifted.  Even if I don’t make one of the 34 projects included in this book, I can use Gifted as inspiration for thinking of new gift ideas.  This is one book that you will find yourself coming back to again and again.

So be sure to check out the Gifted giveaway page and enter to win this great book!  You can enter once daily, so come back often to increase your chances of winning!

 

Meet the Editor: Melissa

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Hey!  Jenny here interviewing Melissa of FaveCrafts for the first “Meet the Editor” of the year!  Crazy to think we’re in 2012 already!

Melissa is one of the newbies here at Prime Publishing.  She hasn’t been assigned a site quite yet, but she’s been uploading lots of new projects on FaveCrafts and bringing you a few blog posts here and there.

Melissa was born and raised in Chicago.  She graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in English Literature and a double minor in public relations and Native American Studies.  During the four years she spent in the freezing Upper Peninsula, Melissa had lots of time for DIY projects and her love for crafting continues to this day!  She loves getting inspired and finding new ways to use old things, so send your cans, bottles, and scrap paper her way!

When she’s not crafting, you can usually find Melissa browsing old book stores, watching Mad Men, or fine-tuning her baking skills.  In the coming year, Melissa hopes to expand her creative horizons and try some new crafting techniques.  She’d love to learn to crochet and can’t wait to dust off her sewing machine!

As she’s been adding projects, Melissa found lots of ideas to try in the coming year and she would love to share them with you!  You can find her favorites below.

As we move forward, Melissa would like to wish all of you a year filled with inspiration, creativity, and the drive to keep learning, laughing, and loving.  Happy 2012!

 

Here’s a few Fun Facts about Melissa!:

  1. Are you a crafter? What crafts do you like to do?
    Melissa    :  I am a crafter!  I love all kinds of crafts, but I mainly stick to clay, paper, and knitting.  I really like finding new ways to use old things, so I’m always browsing thrift stores for new ideas and motivation.
  2. How long have you been crafting?
    Melissa:  I’ve been crafting for as long as I can remember!  My love for crafts probably started in kindergarten.  We were making picture books about ourselves and I got in trouble for using all the glitter and stickers on my book.  I guess it hasn’t stopped since!
  3. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five craft supplies or tools would you want with you?
    Melissa:  Hmm…scissors, Mod Podge, yarn, knitting needles, and paper.
  4. What craft have you always wanted to try?
    Melissa:  I really want to learn to make my own clothes!  I got a sewing machine for Christmas a few years ago and I’m so intimidated to use it–but that’s going to change this year!
  5. Have you ever had a craft fail? Tell us about it.
    Melissa:  Let me just say that my first quilting attempt was a disaster.  I had this huge plan to make this beautiful quilt for my mom.  I even printed photos on fabric to sew onto the quilt.  My squares were cut evenly and I was gearing up to start sewing.  In my foolishness, and complete ignorance of quilting and sewing, I just figured I’d start sewing squares together randomly…hoping that it would come out evenly since each square was 4”x4”.  Um, wrong.  Not only did I not consider the seam, but every single square moved in the sewing process, so it was crooked and totally uneven…which I guess fits my family!  I eventually just scratched the whole thing…as a matter of fact I think it’s still sitting in my craft box!

 

Holiday Craft Tutorials:

Shamrock Vases from Recycled Bottles (pictured)

Be Mine Burlap Wreath

Stitched Felt Valentines

 

Knitting Tutorials:

Mystic Forest Shawl (pictured)

Mad Men Betty Sweater

Belle Ruffle Gloves

 

Sewing Tutorials:

Simple V Day Sachet

Fabric Coffee Cozy (pictured)

Bachelorette Party Dress

 

Beaded Jewelry Tutorials:

Beaded Satin Flower Brooch

Cork Silhouette Necklaces (pictured)

Simple Adorable Clay Owl Pendant

 

FaveCrafts Tutorials:

Candy Kiss Mice

Elegant Rose Bracelet (pictured)

Brown Bag Tea Cup Valentine

 

Crochet Tutorials:

Funky Hat (pictured)

Lacy Fan Bracelet

Pink and White Coasters

 

Quilt Tutorials:

Bumblebee Project Pouch (pictured)

Tied Patchwork Shower Curtain

Elephant Applique Cushion

 

Crochet Afghan Tutorials:

Lazy Daisy Afghan (pictured)

Coffee Creamer Crochet Afghan

 

Christmas Craft Tutorials:

Cocoa Cozy

Little Standing Snowmen (pictured)

 

The Art of the “Man-celet”: How to Crochet with Paracord

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Let’s face it, ladies. With so many crafty, creative gents out there and so much economic pressure to take on do-it-yourself tasks, the art of crochet is no longer a girls-only club.

Granted, you aren’t as likely to see your average Joe stitching away during his morning commute or on his coffee break, but there are plenty of men nowadays who are comfortable enough in their own virility to be seen making hats and scarves in their spare time. Furthermore, as much time as I dedicate to homemade gifts and knickknacks, I often find myself at a loss for homemade gifts for men.

Elisabeth posted an excellent tutorial for a Crochet Paracord Bracelet Cuff Pattern on Calleigh’s Clips & Crochet Creations, in which she details her swift assembly of a fantastic, gender-neutral bracelet crocheted from paracord. A lightweight nylon originally designed for use on World War II parachutes, paracord is a great alternative to yarn and other threads because it is both durable enough for a bracelet and androgynous enough to please both men and women.

Paracord Cuff Bracelet

Personally, I see this as a great opportunity to launch into the world of the “man-celet,” or bracelets for men. Plenty of young trendy fellas sport manly wrist-cuffs and leather bracelets, and this crocheted paracord bracelet could be the latest trend. Considering the battered appearance of my favorite bracelets, I would wear one of these tough, yet gorgeously complex cuffs in a heartbeat. Paracord comes in a variety of colors, allowing for simple personalization and creative design. It has very little give, which makes it a great option for long-lasting bracelets, hats and hatbands.

At any rate, I certainly won’t have any trouble coming up with stocking stuffers and gift ideas for the guys this year. Check out Elisabeth’s free crochet pattern for an easy, last-minute option for the fashionable gentlemen in your life.

Do you know any crafty guys who enjoy crocheting for themselves?  What do they like to make? What types of craft projects do you usually enjoy creating for men? What are your favorite crochet patterns for men?

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

Thrifty