How-To's Day: Paper Decorations for a Craft Party

I love making things out of paper!!! It is one of my absolute favorite materials to work with. One of my favorite materials to have in the studio are maps.  Thomas Guides are especially helpful since there is so many pages of maps inside each one.  The warehouse is so vast down at CRAFTED that basic paper garlands are a must to help add to the decorations.  We recently did a demo using the small tubular ornament template by Martha Stewart Crafts as seen here, and it is the perfect tool to crank out some massive decorations.

For the paper lanterns we are using this time saving tool, but you can also create the same result by folding a 6.5" square into a rectangle, then cutting slits in 1/2" intervals making sure to leave at least a 1/2"  border on the raw edge.

Always an easy favorite when making paper decorations is the classic paper chain.  We have been using the scraps leftover from the lanterns to make paper chains to add to our decorations.

Another awesome paper decoration is these great mini suitcases to reinforce the Wish You Were Here theme as well as decorate their booths. Using a rectangle box and some imagination you can make a super mini suitcase too! Check out this great example from Desiree B-

Off to keep making paper lanterns for our decoration meeting tomorrow ;)

XOXO, KC

How-To's Day: Make Your Own Hairpin Lace Loom

I have never been much of a crocheter. I learned to knit first and never took to crocheting the same. I have heard you are strongest at whichever method you learn first. Who knows! With that being said, learning to crochet is totally on the top of my must list mostly because I so badly wish I was better at it.  Crochet patterns are so cute and it goes so quickly it kills me that I suck at it. My first attempt is going to be trying my hand at Hairpin Lace because, why not?!

Usually my favorite way to blow all of my money is to buy craft tools that I think will change my life and make all my crafty dreams come true... Does that sound like your weakness too? Now, I am actively trying to curb my spending PLUS I usually try out my tools one time and then I am on to the next project which means I am in a never ending cycle of tool buying. This is an acceptable habit if it is yours as well, there are worst things to be addicted to for sure.  My main reason for wanting to curb my enthusiasm for buying tools is that I am realizing I have enough stuff in my life and I should save my money.  For instance, this Hairpin Lace Loom looks amazing, but at $28 before shipping buying a loom could be more of an investment that I need to indulge in for just trying it out.

Here is my simple solution to trying out a hairpin lace loom for under $3!!

I was able to find a pack of 4 BBQ Skewers at Albertson's for $1.99 on sale. You may be able to find a bigger pack that would drop the cost of the finished tool even lower. All you need is (2) handles cut off the top of a 6-pack and two metal BBQ skewers to create the upcycled hairpin lace tool. This is a simple example of upcycling which is utilizing and re purposing materials that could be recycled or discarded as the useful material in a project.  If you are interested in more details on upcycling check this out.

Take one handle and push both BBQ skewers down through the top to create the bottom of the loom.

The handles from the 6-pack may need a good push to accommodate the skewers but one of the great aspects of using the cardboard handles is the structure is very sturdy and holds the skewers without having to do much to secure them.  You can try out the loom without gluing the skewer into the handle - this way you can make the loom adjustable and change up the sizes if you'd like.  Or if you like the size of the loom place some hot glue by the skewers to hold everything in place and create a surprisingly durable loom.

Some similar looms to make using bamboo skewers and hot glue sticks can be found on Little Projects Blog here or a more substantial loom made from knitting needles, dowel rods and rubber bands from eHow here.

Once you have a loom starting the lace can be tricky. I found this video tutorial from JenkinsWoodworking on YouTube here that is super helpful when trying to learn making hairpin lace.

 Now let's all make some lace!!


XOXO, KC

Talkin' Tools - Radmegan's Knitting Fork

Before Craftcation I went to the presenters sites to see what everyone was up to and what they looked like in case I had an opportunity to meet and talk with them. When I went to one of the presenters Radmegan's site I stumbled upon a project she did for St. Patty's Day where she used her knitting fork (also known as a lucet) to make a knitted shamrock. It was a really cool project idea and the cord made with the knitting fork totally intrigued me. Mad props to Megan for how she highlighted a project example made with her tool the "actual product for sale"- not the other way around. It hooked me instantly! I saw the project, saw what made it - which led me to purchase the tool in her Etsy shop immediately. From a business stand point it is so amazing how Megan had the product sell itself to me in that manner! 

I received my knitting fork and it was time to play with it and see how I liked it. She gave wonderful instructions that were very easy to use that followed alongside diagrams for each step. Also in with the tool and helpful instructions came a fun pattern to make a scarf project which I have not tried. 

When using this tool you basically achieve knitting an I-cord without having to use harder methods like double-pointed needles. The cord can vary slightly with the tension and yarn type you choose, but you are limited to a rough size dimension based on the width of the fork. She carries them in only one size so you are not going to get a tiny cord or a fat cord, but the possibilities are endless even within these limitations.

You can purchase the knitting fork here or for more details on Radmegan check her out here. 

 XOXO, KC

I get no benefit from these reviews other than the sheer enjoyment of using the products. I get no payment from affiliate links or off my reviews.