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Trendy Quilted Gifts for Tech Geeks

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Although there are quilt designs called Grandma’s Garden Flowers and Log Cabin Blocks, quilting is anything but outdated. Actually, I’ve found that quilting and technology go hand in hand. Not only is there a diverse collection of free quilt patterns and quilting tutorials on sites like FaveQuilts, there is also a growing interest in small handmade gift patterns for tech accessories.

You can choose to create a graduation gift for a college student with a laptop, a birthday gift for a dad that likes to read his Kindle on the train, or a quilted Christmas present for a photographer who wants a DIY camera strap. You are guaranteed to find a fantastic free quilted gift pattern for every tech geek on your list.

 

 Camera Accessory Quilt Gift

Digital Camera Case

Whether they are a photographer for National Geographic or a new parent who loves snapping pictures of their baby, anyone with a camera will love a personalized camera strap. I’ve noticed that avid photographers always need to keep their cameras close to them; which is why a Quilted Camera Strap Cover is such a fashionable idea for anyone in need of a DIY camera strap. Need a quilted gift design for someone who goes on a lot of fun family trips? This Digital Camera Case is an easy quilted gift pattern that does an excellent job of protecting a camera on the go. For an even quicker pattern for a personalized camera case, check out a contemporary Quilted Camera Case that would be a perfect quilted gift for a teenager.

 

 

Laptop and iPad Case Quilt Gifts

Vintage-looking Laptop Case

Nowadays, every college and high school student has a laptop. Any young adult is sure to appreciate your talent when you make them a cool laptop or iPad case quilt gift. Your daughter or granddaughter will be the chicest girl on campus when you quilt her this Vintage-Looking Laptop Case to carry her computer between lecture halls. For college-aged guys, check out an ironic pattern for a Retro iPad Case DIY that actually looks like a vintage transistor radio. Last but not least, make a DIY laptop case for dear old dad or a beloved husband with this Manly Man Laptop Case.

 

 

eReader Cover Quilt Gifts

Love of Literature Tablet Cover

One of the greatest features about gadgets like ereaders is that they help save trees by putting news articles and books online. I especially love this idea for the Love of Literature Tablet Cover because it protects a tablet  but also flaunts an appliqued vintage typewriter. You can also protect your electronic reader by making this Mexican-themed scrap quilt design for a Dia de los Muertos Kindle Sleeve. For an even quicker tutorial on constructing a Kindle or eReader cover, check out this pattern for a  Last Minute Gift Kindle Cover.

 

The free quilted gift patterns for new technologies don’t stop there. Check out 23 Geeky Gifts for Nerds for even dorkier gift ideas!

 

Tell us, what kind of handmade quilt gift will you make YOUR tech geek?

 

 

Link Love: DIY Tech Cases

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We’ve all been there. At first it’s just a little speck out of the corner of your eye. But upon closer inspection, you see it clear as day. Your heart starts racing and you start to wonder, “How did this happen?” It’s too late – you’ve found a scratch.

Everyone is connected these days, and it seems we can’t go more than a few seconds without our beloved devices. These items are expensive and precious, so it’s important to take good care of them. Before you head outside, create your own tech case and save yourself the stress. Use durable materials like felt, yarn and fabric to create a chic  sleeve for your most precious items.

There isn’t a right or wrong way when it comes to creating your own case for a computer, tablet or phone. You can even add cute elements that really speak to your personal style. Not sure how to express yourself? Show your love for technology with a Heart iPad Case or display your playful side with a Crochet Skull Tablet Case. If you’re a fan of a needle and thread, sew a Padded Laptop Tote. This is a great option for travelers!

Don’t forget – handmade tech cases make great gifts during the holiday season! Start making one now and save it for your next gift exchange.

 

 

  1. Cell Phone Cozy Tutorial from All About Ami
  2. Phone Case Knitting Pattern from Forty Percent Fringe
  3. No Sew DIY Felt iPad Sleeve from Creative Dish
  4. Custom Laptop Sleeve from The Gilded Hare
  5. Easy Peasy iPad Case from Oh No Rachio
  6. Felt iPhone Case from Sew Knit Click
  7. Free People Inspired Phone Case from Minted Strawberry
  8. Bohemian Style iPhone Case from By Wilma
  9. Envelope Cellphone Case from Swell Mayde

What piece of technology can you not live without?

CHA Trend Report: The Technology Edition + Swag Bag Giveaway!

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Did you miss the summer CHA show this year? No worries! We have all the coverage you could want to know all the hot ticket items that will be hitting craft stores near you very soon.

On today’s report, I’ve got the hot technology trends that were on display this year at the Craft and Hobby Trade Show. This one is easy because there was only one thing that stood out above and beyond and at multiple booths: QR Codes!

There were all sorts of ways you could incorporate QR codes into all your crafts. My favorite were the fabric QR code patches from stkr.it.  You simply sew on the little fabric patch and add video, audio, or photos to it with your smart phone. Once it’s set you can give your handmade quilt or purse with a super special personalized message sewn right to it! It makes it easier than ever to include personal messages and photos into the items you love making for loved ones.

 

Sizzix also makes these cute little “talking tags” for all of your scrapbook QR code needs! If QR codes make sense anywhere, it’s in a scrap book. You can upload full videos to go along with your scrapbook pages!

 

So if you thought the QR codes were over and done, you were wrong! They are bigger than ever in the crafting world, at least they were at CHA Summer 2012, and for the most of us who love preserving memories, they’re the perfect thing to bring back old videos or photos from your computer that can’t all necessarily fit on one page!

Giveaway!

FC Blog Giveaway Logo July FaveCrafts Radio Wrap up!

You’d didn’t think we’d go to CHA Summer 2012 and not bring back something for all of our lovely readers did you? We went to the Craft and Hobby Trade Show like we do every year and collected all the swag we could into a large CHA Swag Bag Giveaway! We picked up some awesome prizes from Mod Podge, 3M, October Afternoon, and so much more! So don’t hesitate! Enter today by answering the question below in the comments section.

 

Giveaway Rules:

What is your favorite craft company?

Link Love: Apple Crafts in Memory of Steve Jobs

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In memory of Steve Jobs, here are the best Apple themed crafts (no, not the fruit) from around the web. Make an iPhone carrier, iPod themed gifts, and other geeky projects inspired by Apple! Show your love for the tech mogul with one of these clever craft ideas.

  1. iPhone Cupcakes from Dolce
  2. iPhone Pouch Tutorial from Made During Quiet Time
  3. iPhone App Magnets Tutorial from Infarrantly Creative
  4. Crocheted iPad Sleeve from Revving it Up
  5. iPhone Case MakeOver from Accidental Crafter
  6. Handmade Wooden Ipod from Jozaeh on Flickr
  7. iPod Gift Card Holder Tutorial from Just Give me Stamps
  8. iPod Scrapbook Page from Life and Memories

Technology and the Crafter

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Clearly, the constantly growing technological advances of society shape our entire world.  Isn’t it fun to think about how much technology has changed the world of crafting as well?

The wealth of resources out there now are pretty amazing; you can find answers to just about any kind of crafting question imaginable.  Thanks to social networks, blogs, and forums, crafters can share tips, project ideas, and patterns with each other in literal seconds.  What online crafting networks are you involved in?  For those of you who knit and/or crochet, I’m sure you’ve check out Ravelry before, but I have to give it a shout out as a great social networking site for a specific craft niche.  Another one of my favorite sites is Craftster.org because of its easy to navigate forums, helpful information, and cool shop with some really funny crafty t-shirts like this “Sew in Love” shirt or the “Handmade is Better” tee.

Another big advancement has been the creation of Etsy (we <3 Etsy, if you haven’t noticed!) otherwise known as the Ebay of the crafting world.  It’s true, Etsy has offered both professional and just-for-fun crafters the opportunity to sell their products to the masses with an easy and afforable platform.  While craft fairs are still awesome (and constantly getting bigger and better in most urban settings!), the average crafter doesn’t have to wait anymore to share their goods with the world.  There’s other sites, like Etsy, popping up constantly.  One of my favorites for handmade clothes and accessories is Smashing Darling.  Check it out — it’s great for finding unique gifts!

And lastly, I’ve got to give it up for new gadgets — who doesn’t love gadgets?!  There’s a few that have been on just about everyone’s wish list this season — too many for me to even get into.  But I have a couple favorites for this year, to help with all my scrapbooking needs.  The Slice, created by Making Memories, is being dubbed the “iPod of the Crafting world” by many.  It’s portable and you can do it all with just a touch of a button — select a design to cut, select the size, and let it do its thing!  My other new fave is the Crop-a-dile II, and not just because it has such a cute name.  Made by We R Memory Keepers, the Crop-a-dile is a not-so-average hole punch that you can adjust for punching holes of all sizes and easily place metal grommets, eyelets, snaps, and other embellishments just about anywhere on your scrapbooking project.  It makes everything look so easy — what will they think of next?

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