Do you remember those folded paper fortune-tellers from back in the old school yard? This romantic version of the origami toy is discontinued at Colloco Homeware & Gifts but consider the DIY craft fun to be had here! (more…)
It's easy to create a professional-looking torn-edge effect, to use when you're scrapbooking or making greeting cards, gift tags, or other torn paper crafts — even some amazing art. The…
Allow me to introduce the lovely and talented Ching Ya, a dear friend and social media geek with a delightful creative streak. Today, she’ll teach us how to fold our own paper stars in this photo tutorial. Enjoy! ~ Jen
Twinkle twinkle little stars
How colorful and adorable you are…
I’ve always loved them, it’s my dream to hold the stars in my hands and admire their beauty.
Guess what? My dream came true after all! (more…)
This year, the holidays are going to be especially tough for a lot of families - so what better time to rediscover the true meaning of the season, sitting down with the kids to create new traditions of creative crafts? Here's a round-up of wonderful ideas, free patterns, and tutorials for frugal holiday decorations that you can make yourself... [read more]
How can a crafter turn an image into a custom pattern for a knitted motif — quickly and easily — without spending a fortune?
It’s not as difficult as you might think, to make your own knitting pattern, and you can do it for little or no cost at all. Suddenly, all sorts of creative possibilities come to mind —
Here, for example, is a chart for knitting a Union Jack flag motif in three colours. (Click on the thumbnail image to see a larget version, or feel free to grab the printable PDF knitting chart to stitch up a UK flag as you wish.)
Now, let’s talk about how that knitting chart is made…
Here are three different ways to chart out a pattern onto a grid — without having to invest in some of that delicious but high-priced stitch-mapping pattern-design software — and each method has its strengths and weaknesses.
A lot of this will apply to a wide range of grid-based needle crafts and art projects, too — crochet, needlepoint, petit-point, cross stitch — possibly even related crafts like fabric-paint embroidery, if you’re into pointillism techniques — as well as beading and mosaics, so don’t go away, even if knitting is not your craft of choice!
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Small gifts can be hard to wrap up in an attractive way, especially when they have odd shapes. Sure, you could get a little cardboard box to put them in,…
For those of us who love crafts, love to make stuff, and love the wow factor of heavy-textured handmade paper... but... well... don't honestly feel like going to all that…