tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84101926273164827262024-02-08T04:34:05.640-08:00CraftsmasMake it.Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14717088806433416442noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410192627316482726.post-79677580169559182892010-11-08T07:35:00.000-08:002010-11-08T07:45:53.269-08:00Okay. Every year I have really, really good intentions. I say, "I'm going to get ahead. I'm not doing everything I do at the last minute. I'm starting in November at the latest."<br /><br />Yeah, right.<br /><br />Well, this is going to be my year for following through. It's a great time for craftsmas: the economy still stinks, and guess what? Handmade really is nicer. <br /><br />I'm starting simple. Manageable. Here we go.<br /><br /><b>Full Sun Body Scrub</b><br />1/2 cup olive oil<br />1 cup coarse salt (try to find the really coarse kind -- you can get it at many asian grocers)<br />10 drops lavender essential oil<br />5 drops geranium essential oil<br /><br /><b>Winter Woods Body Scrub</b><br />1/2 cup liquid glycerin (available in health food stores or online)<br />1 cup coarse granulated sugar <br />10 drops rosewood essential oil<br />5 drops lemon essential oil<br /><br />I'm packaging mine in <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10011037&N=&Nao=16&Ntt=jar">hermetic compote jars</a>.Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14717088806433416442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410192627316482726.post-52890633015802101622009-03-21T13:15:00.000-07:002009-03-21T15:12:18.369-07:00Colorworked Balsam OrnamentsThese small sachets can be knit up quick and they make cute ornaments. You can combine the patterns any way you want, and it’s a great way to play with color work for the first time.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3373229421_29fded426d.jpg?v=0"><br /><br />You will need:<br />- two balls of DK weight wool or alpaca yarn in contrasting colors* -- we used Reynolds Whiskey, and especially recommend something tweedy<br />- one pair US Size 3 needles<br />- a yarn needle<br />- about 1 tablespoon of balsam fir needles for each sachet (you can also use plain polyacrylic stuffing)<br />- bits of scrap cloth (white muslin is inexpensive and works well)<br />sewing needle and thread<br />four straight pins<br />- our pattern! <a href="http://www.payloadz.com/go/sip?id=616125" target="paypal">Buy Now</a><br /><br />*You will need at least two colors for this project, but you can use more if you want to work up a more genuine fair isle pattern or for the more complex three color patterns.Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14717088806433416442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410192627316482726.post-5149560515564197752008-12-14T10:47:00.000-08:002009-03-15T15:18:33.231-07:00Five Easy + Inexpensive Handmade Gifts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">1. Custom Recipe Book.</span><div>You will need:<br /><div>- 15 recipes (check <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/index.cfm?cm%5Ftype=gnav">Williams-Sonoma</a> and <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe-finder?rsc=leftnav_food_food">Martha Stewart</a> for ideas)</div><div>- A package of <a href="http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/StaplesCategoryDisplay?jspStoreDir=Staples&catalogId=10051&productId=16629&cmArea=SEARCH&interceptedCatEntryId=16629&keyword=Staples-Top-Loading-Standard-Sheet-Protectors&identifier=BI81838&langId=-1&storeId=10001&ddkey=StaplesProductDisplay">sheet protectors</a></div><div>- A <a href="http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p1_1-Avery-Durable-View-Binder-with-EZ-Turn-trade-Rings_19272_Business_Supplies_10051_SEARCH">1" View Binder</a><div>- Paper</div><div><br /></div><div>Compile your recipes, print or write them out, slide the pages into the sheet protectors, and arrange in the binder. Use the view pockets in the binder to make a cover. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">2. Amigurumi Animal.</span></div><div>You will need:</div><div>- Yarn, in a few different colors</div><div>- A crochet hook</div><div>- Buttons for eyes/noses</div><div>- Stuffing</div><div><br /></div><div>Amigurumi animals are not too hard to make, even if you've never crocheted before. You only need to know how to chain and single crochet. Here's a free pattern in English for a <a href="http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70583AD.html">simple penguin</a>, and a free Japanese visual pattern for a <a href="http://homepage3.nifty.com/omura/shugei/amigurumi/kabutomushii/kabutomushi-1.htm">forest rhinoceros beetle</a>. The Japanese visual patterns tend to be easier for me than the written-out English ones, and I don't read a word of Japanese.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">3. A Simple Fabric Scarf.</span></div><div>You will need:</div><div>- 2.5 yards of fabric</div><div>- 1 yard of fringe</div><div>- Thread</div><div>- Scissors</div><div>- The free "Cozy Scarf" pattern available on <a href="http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/mainmenu.php">Amy Butler's website</a>.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">4. Stuffed and Decorated Candy Boxes.</span></div><div>You will need:</div><div>- Ingredients for your recipes + a kitchen</div><div>- A candy thermometer (very important for candy making!)</div><div>- Wax paper </div><div>- Small paper muffin liners</div><div>- <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=17520260&itemIndex=1&CATID=71228&PRODID=62624">Blank round candy tins</a></div><div>- <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/zz029/48/">Paint pens</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Cut wax paper into circles and line the bottom of your tins with it. You may also wish to line the sides with a strip. Fill with muffin liners and put candy in each liner. Stuck for ideas? Try these: <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/best-chocolate-fudge?autonomy_kw=">Chocolate Fudge</a>, <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/peanut-butter-cups?autonomy_kw=">Peanut Butter Cups</a>, <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/pepperment-sticks?autonomy_kw=">Peppermint Sticks</a>, or <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/golden-caramels?autonomy_kw=&rsc=rf_result35">Golden Caramels</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>The nice thing about candies like caramel and peppermint sticks is that the ingredients are inexpensive, being almost 90% refined sugar. Give them to all your relatives kids, then run and hide behind a rock. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">5. Knit Hat</span></div><div>You will need:</div><div>- 1 ball of yarn</div><div>- 1 set size 9 double pointed knitting needles </div><div>- 1 US Size G crochet hook</div><div>- <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATTcouvercle.html">This pattern</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>This is an easy pattern for a beginning knitter. It's a pattern of knits and purls, very simple. And, unless you're making it for someone with a huge head, you probably only need one ball of yarn. The two best things about knit hats? They take a fifth the time of scarves, and they let you get comfortable with knitting in the round, which is essential for socks and handwarmers. </div><div><br /></div><div>Happy crafting!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8410192627316482726"></a></div>Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14717088806433416442noreply@blogger.com0