Royal Wedding Crafts

Before I can continue with any of this, I just need to ask a very very important question. If anyone is going to the Royal wedding will you please A. Take me with you or B. stand up and object to let Prince William know that I will be there very soon. Since that probably will never happen, here is a list of Royal Wedding related crafts.

Let’s start out with the ever-popular “Knit Your Own Royal Wedding.” It is all the rage among, knitters, dolls enthusiast and the folks who have a vested interest in this matrimony. Who wouldn’t want a miniature knitted William, Kate and the Fam to pass the time or to set up on the balcony to play royal wedding-if you’re into that.

http://www.amazon.com/Knit-Your-Own-Royal-Wedding/dp/1449409245

From royalweddinggifts.com are the Royal Worcester Royal Wedding Commemorative Tea Cup and Saucer. Teatime will be so much better when you have an exclusive teacup to drink out of.

http://www.royalweddinggifts.com/royal-worcester-royal-wedding-commemorative-tea-cup-and-saucer/

 

There is also the ever lovely Prince William and Kate Middleton Commemorative Wedding Tea Towel. Having the transferred images of Will and Kate right there would totally make your teatime experience a little closer to the royal wedding.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71958796/prince-william-and-kate-middleton?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_query=royal&ga_noautofacet=1&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fhousewares

 

From the Domestic Goddesque, there is an adorable how to on “A Right Royal Wedding: how to make your own Will and Kate from Champagne corks” the article is informative and this looks like the cutest addition to any Royal Wedding celebration, or to add to your own Will and Kate collection.

http://domesticgoddesque.com/2011/04/a-right-royal-wedding-how-to-make-your-own-will-and-kate-from-champagne-corks/

 

Birdhouses

I have a new favorite place. It is the Habitat for Humanity resale shop. This may seem a little odd, and so was my reason for going, we were on the hunt for vintage hinges. Who knew hinges could be such a hot commodity? I sure didn’t but when I was there I noticed a shelf with such beautiful birdhouses on one of the walls, representing all of the housed the organization has built.

So here is the inspiration for this blog, birdhouses.

Birdhouses offer protection for the little winged guys, and they are also something that can add a whimsical touch to any outdoor space. 

What initially got my attention about the Salt Box Primitive Art Birdhouse Country Rustic Songbird Bird House from Etsy.com is the realistic look that it has. I loved how it appeared to be aged and also the framed windows. Also, who can resist a bird sized wreath?  I find myself wanting to live in there myself-only if it was much, much larger. This birdhouse is from Birdhouseaccents, from Connecticut.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71153638/salt-box-primitive-folk-art-birdhouse?ref=pr_shop  

After looking for birdhouses I ran across this collection from San Francisco artists Luke Bartels & Jeff Canham on The Curiosity Shoppe, . Needless to say, they are awesome. They combine flair of the whimsical, great craftsmanship and a dry, witty sense of humor for a town of birdhouses. These are basically the coolest birdhouses.

http://www.curiosityshoppeonline.com/forbirds.html

From SongbirdGarden.com there is an adorable  “Air Castle Birdhouse Redwood” it is, as the website says “Tall cozy nest box with a spectacular vaulted ceiling.” This unique design makes the birdhouse look different and as pictured they look great in multiples on a fence.

http://www.songbirdgarden.com/store/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=9649

Here is another birdhouse from Etsy.com. It is a ceramic birdhouse finished in weathered bronze glaze. What I loved about this was the unique cylindrical design of this and there are other birdhouse styles in this same weathered bronze glaze. It is from cherylwolffgarden.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56146905/bird-house?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=bird+house&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade 

#WINNING #tigerblood

From gossip.whyfame.com

Don’t kill me for jumping on this bandwagon.

Who can ignore Charlie Sheen and all of his #WINNINGS? Not only has Sheen made his mark in the Guness Book of World Records with a record number of a million Twitter followers in only 25 hours, but also he made enough of an impression on me to dedicate this Friday blog to him. 

This week I have been scanning the web for a rundown of #tigerblood (OK, just tiger) inspired crafts.

There is an adorable tiger inspired hat at ShanaLogic.com. It is a Crocheted Tiger Hat by fancy reygun. It is made with orange and black yarn and there were tiger ears added to it. It would not only keep anyone warm but you would look fierce.

http://shanalogic.com/item.php?item_id=2897

If you want to take this to an extreme look at Disney’s Family Fun Tiger costume. With simple materials and easy step-by-step instructions, you can increase the sizes to your adult stature and be the Tiger you have always wanted to be.

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/tiger-and-zebra-costumes-785322/

For all those weird camper types out there, or anyone who wants to have a friendship bond with Charlie Sheen, a tiger print friendship bracelet is probably for you. With simple yarn and a keen eye for following a pattern you can be wearing a little tiger everyday.

http://friendship-bracelets.net/pattern.php?id=6270

From All Things Cupcake is an unbelievable replica of a tiger on a delicious cupcake. This cupcake looks like a work of art, but it most likely also extremely tasty. It maybe too adorable/realistic for me to eat (if I ever had the opportunity).

http://www.allthingscupcake.com/2010/01/14/katjas-kupcakes/tiger-cupcake/

 

Mustache crafts for the hipsters at heart

What is the fascination with hipsters and mustaches? I’m not sure. But what I do know is that mustaches are a craft heavy search.

It may be the weather, or it may be the coffee shop I am in right, now but here we go.

The best mustache crafts for the hipsters at heart.

Let’s get this started; we have some yarn bombing. Why yes, this taking two of my favorite things, rouge knitting and guerilla art. I found that while I was looking at Craftzine.com, and who doesn’t love “yarn bombing” and lets be honest, this looks a lot better with a 'stach'. http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/08/yarn_bombing_mustache.htm

What is better then incorporating mustaches and cupcakes? (I guess this mustache theme is turning into mustache collaboration) From Sprinkles Bakes, my baking guilty pleasure on the web, I found these adorable guys. It says this cupcake is perfect for father’s day, but I think it is perfect for any hip occasion that warrants beautiful and delicious cupcakes. 

http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2010/06/mustache-topped-chocolate-cupcakes-for.html

These mustache etched glasses are another quirky and practical find. From the "Bread and Badger", they offer a fun “Mustache Lowball Glass.” From its bio it the duo hand sandblasts the designs onto the glassware.  These would make perfect gifts, or something hip to keep around a house.

http://www.breadandbadger.com/shop/lowball-glasses/mustache-lowball-glass/

From Jane of All Crafts, is an easy how-to for crafting a perfect “mustache-tic mug.”

A coffee mug with your favorite kind of mustache drawn on it These mugs are not only “ironic” but adorable, with a few simple supplies and a desire to have facial hair on your mug this would be perfect for anyone to make.

http://www.janeofallcrafts.com/2011/01/mustache-tic-mugs.html

Give me anything with knitting. Here is a knitted mustache. And a website that tells you how to make it.  http://www.instructables.com/id/Knitted-Moustache/

Paper flowers in hopes of spring

We hit a heat wave in Des Moines, Iowa this last week. It was a whopping 63 degrees; needless to say, it was officially spring for a week.  While unpacking my swimsuit and sundresses seemed a little over the top, it did get me thinking about flower paper crafts. Because if the flower are not blooming, why not make a few buds bloom.

Here is a run-down of a few fun and creative paper flower crafting sites.

MarthaStewart.com has a wonderful slide show highlighting multiple paper flower craft ideas, from paper dogwood flowers, a Giant Paper Poppies and quilled flowers. What I loved about this slideshow was the wide array of ideas and different materials that were used, including quilting, cupcake holders and coffee filters to make beautiful bouquets and decorations. If Martha Does it, it has to be good.

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/paper-flowers?lpgview=thumb&showComments=true

Craftbits.com has an adorable photo flower bouquet "how-to". This would be a great crafting activity for children and adults alike. The project uses foam sheets and allows to personalization with colors and flowers, and putting pictures in the middle to create a unique floral arrangement. Nothing says "I love you" like your face on a flower.

http://www.craftbits.com/project/photo-flower-bouquet

Craftstylish.com and the DIY wedding section has a DIY on “How to Make Simple White Paper Flowers”. From Jeffery Rudell. It gives step-by-step instructions for how to create the airy and simplistic white flower arrangement. It is not only beautiful it is intricate and provides for a unique take on paper flowers and what and how they can be incorporated.

Also from Craftstylish.com is the “How to Make Perfect Paper Daisies” another step-by-step instruction on crafting this elegant and interesting flower. It is beautiful, inexpensive and it really makes an impressive centerpiece. Great for those who are allergic to flowers or those with a crafting ability.

Knitting and 5 favorite knitting-things online.

This is not a knitting blog.

Knitting, one of my favorite hobbies is something I am still trying to perfect. I can cast-on and cast-off. I have the basic knit and pearl down. Cable knit is something I am still working on. And also trying to make anything other than scarves.

Needless to say, knitting is awesome. And for this highly stressed individual, necessary. 

While roaming the web for inspiration I have stumbled across-the top 5 coolest knitting things.

 (In no specific order)

1.     Knockdown Knits: Roller Derby Knits. By Joan of Dark (aka Toni Carr)

A book about the relationship between roller derby and knitting, with knitting ideas for knitting patterns for iPod armbands, fishnet stockings and an icepack covers and mouth guard covers. The Blending of these two cultures may be my favorite thing ever. This is taking Knitting to a new level of hardcore.

http://www.amazon.com/Knockdown-Knits-Projects-Roller-Derby/dp/0470239549

2.     Beard Heads. Why only cover your head in the cold weather when you can protect your mustache and beard? That is what the people behind Beardhead.com must have thought. It is a website that specializes in these full-coverage beauties.

http://www.beardhead.com/

3.     Being eco-friendly is easy when taking little steps, like replacing the cardboard coffee sleeve with a reusable knit sleeve. JasminsTreasures on Etsy.com has a great alternative for the cardboard with this beautiful knitted to-go cup cozy. Being eco-friendly was never this comfortable.  

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63322182/hot-applique-knitted-to-go-cup-cozy

4.     OK. Something else from Etsy.com (Although, I could not resist after seeing this little guy) it is a “Tiny hand knitted pink elephant brooch” by iroirorcrafts. This should be said- give me anything with cute tiny animals and I will swoon.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60807142/tiny-handknitted-pink-elephant-brooch?ref=cat2_gallery_21

5.     For all of you hip-knitters. Or anyone who is anyone. Wool and the Gang ™ is a website that is from a gang of knitters ranging in ages and tied together through their yarn that sells kits of yarn, needles, pattern and accessories, or ready-made knitwear “for those of you too impatient to knit your own.” This website is not only witty but it is making knitting hip.

http://www.woolandthegang.com/en/home.php