If you didn’t think the paper iPad was for you, maybe the iFelt is?
February 9, 2010
12 handmade things I’d like for Valentine’s Day.
A little gallery of handmade presents I think are brilliant, up on guardian.co.uk. This t-shirt by Bombi Forest is one of my favourites – I’m buying one tonight, me thinks.
February 9, 2010
Craft doesn’t have to just be fun.
The Craftivist Collective are ladies and gents I’ll be watching out for in 2010.
February 8, 2010
This time last year I made some interesting stuff for Valentine’s Day.
Looking back, perhaps the Guardian wasn’t the best place for it – it looks a bit kooky among all the other stuff usually published. But hey ho – here’s a little link to the duct tape rose (my favourite), DIY jigsaw, pretty bookmark, junk jewellery, photo flick book, scented car pouches, mosaic coaster and an edible G-string (knitted, of course).
February 8, 2010
Sometimes, the Daily Mail aren’t all *that* bad.
Especially when they swap their daily picture-of-a-cute-animal with brilliant pictures of tiny pieces of origami.
February 8, 2010
This is a lovely piece from the lovely John Henry.
He writes so well, and he’s written this cracking piece on making silk ties.
February 8, 2010
I don’t think this is a craftastrophe.
What’s not to love? Dead flies? Creativity? Dead fly art has got everything.
February 8, 2010
I definitely need fashion advice from Dawn Bibby.
When QVC presenters like Dawn Bibby are telling you what’s what, how can I ignore it.
“Pom Poms Are Back
Less scary than the return of the bum bag and not as challenging as a body con dress, the pom-pom has reinvented itself as this seasons must have item. Usually associated with cheerleading or childhood, the pom pom has grown up and moved on. Gracing the catwalks in Diane Von Furstenberg and Mulberry and decking out celebs from Cheryl Cole to Rhianna, fashion followers everywhere are attaching pom poms to everything and anything.
Craft expert Dawn Bibby from QVC has put together a simple step by step guide so that you can create your own pom poms. Tag them onto scarves, attach them to your knee length socks or even dangle them from your best handbag but be rest assured that with home-made ones, your pom poms will stand out from the fashion pack.
1. First of all you need 2 donut shaped pieces of card. You can use a compass or shape template. Draw the first one approximately 2cm in diameter and then on the outside of this another circle (the size you would like your pom pom) approx 5cm- 6cm on a sturdy piece of cardboard- a cereal box would do.
2. Then you need to prepare the wool; cut lengths ready to use maybe a couple of metres at a time or less. Keep a darning needle handy in particular for the last few lengths of wool.
3. Next, position the two pieces together and taking your wool hold the end to the outside of the circle. Now begin to wrap the wool through the centre hole and back around the outside. Around the back and through the front again. Continue working your way around the circle until you cannot see the cardboard.
4. Continue as above, changing wool as you run out. Always make sure the ends are on the outside of the circle not the inside (you can always trim the excess to bring them in line). As the centre circle fills you may find it easier to use a darning needle – you want to use as much wool as will possibly fit to make a lovely full pom pom.
5. The next step is the hardest, once you really cannot get any more wool through the centre take a sharp pair of scissors (hold the centre of the circle firmly) and slip the point of one blade in between the two cardboard circles. Now snip all the wool around the edge to open up your ball of wool. It will be quite thick so you may have to do a few layers at a time.
6. Take a new length of wool and place it between the two cardboard circles, tie it firmly together (as tight as you can) so it secures the lengths of wool in the middle.
7. Now remove the cardboard rings, snip them with scissors and pull out.
8. You may have to trim your pom pom to even up the overall look. Add your pom poms to hats, scarfs or fun accents on clothes. Experiment with different wools, using different colours and textures for new looks.”
Yup, so there we go.
