This free printable paper craft is for our American friends, but with a federal election looming north of the border, here, too, you’ve got to wonder how long it can be before a Canadian version hits the ink jets…

You know how the old curmudgeons down at the coffee shop have been known to call the issue-dodging politician a mere puppet of this or that?

Well… Fold US Candidate is a clever little site with a fresh trendy design, happy video demonstrations, and — here’s the whole point — free printable so you can make your own finger-puppets of the American contenders (and their stylish spouses).

Just imagine! No more ranting helplessly at the television, my friends — now you can hold your own political debates in a homemade puppet theatre (cleverly crafted from a cereal box?), put your own words in the mouth of each candidate, and declare your own winner.

Heck, while you’re at it, why not hold your own “on paper” election?
(Sycophants and dangling chads not included.)

I’m angora.
Really.
You know, the fluffy stuff that gets up your nose?
Angora.

That’s the yarn that “comes from cute little bunnies that look for all the world like furry footstools with ears,” according to The Knitter’s Book of Yarn, Clara Parkes new book from Random House / Potter Craft press.

Okay, well, it’s not actually the book itself that claims I have the soul of a furry footstool… it’s a quiz that matches up Parkes’ descriptions of various yarn fibers with the major personality types.

So, if five quick questions about my yarn-based habits are anything to go by, this is a description of my essential inner psyche:

Angoras are eager to please and are highly sensitive. Flexibility and adaptability are your strengths and sometimes your weakness, as well. You are essentially a warm and feeling person, and little escapes your impressionable mind. You are generous with others and strive for harmony in your relationships.

Move over, Dr. Freud — we’ve got knitting needles, and we’re not afraid to use them!

Take the yarn quiz yourself, and you can see a preview of the book — plus download a high-res button image (like my angora bunny badge, but of course the one for your own personality fibre) to print out with pride — plus you can order up a real button when you sign up for the uber-tempting Potter Craft newsletter.

Now, tell — which fiber are you?

Here it is November… what, the 26th already?

And you’ve got no Advent calendar to keep the little kiddies calm through the pre-Christmas countdown?

Marilyn Scott-Waters, The Toymaker, can bail you out with her free printable Advent calendar.

Just grab the two PDF files from Marilyn’s Christmas web page, and fire up the ol’ colour printer.

You’re going to print out one copy of each page. On the page with the Christmas tree picture, cut out three sides of each of the numbered doors.

The second page is glued on behind, with tiny seasonal pictures to be revealed as each door is opened day by day through December.

Easy-peasy!

For a last-minute Advent calendar, you can’t beat a quick (free) print job.

And the Toymaker’s design has real old-fashioned charm — like all of her paper toys — but all the speed and convenience that a busy modern parent could hope for.