Decorative Buttons

Many people decorate using buttons. Over at Take Your Vitamin C blog, they decorate the buttons themselves. What a great idea! It seems like it would be fun and relaxing to me. Using a button as your canvas, you can create a one of a kind specialized piece of art. Using your creations can make a simple garment into something spectacular. [link]

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Upcycle Spoon Mirror

There are times crafters repurpose or upcycle an item to the point where you no longer see the individual parts but the beautiful whole new creation first. It is rare, but it does happen. Just like with the Chrysanthemum Mirror, you see the beauty first and then see it is made from plastic spoons. What to give it a try? Here is the tutorial from Addicted 2 Decorating. [link]

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Fabric Covered Boxes

Mallory Paige shares with us how to cover boxes with fabric in a step by step instruction. What a great decor and storage solution. [link]

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Free Vintage Patterns Online

Vintage, antique and public domain patterns are a terrific resource for needlepoint enthusiasts, and these patterns are readily available for FREE on the internet (and we all love the free stuff!)

Many designers utilize public domain charted materials to create new designs for both needlepoint and cross stitch, with the bulk of the designs created from these resources being offered freely on various designers' blogs.

A list of some of favorites, completely free online resources for you to browse. Most of them can be downloaded in a pdf format whole or in parts, while others may be saved to your computer page-by-page. Directions for saving the patterns are available on most sites.

Check out the booklets for cross stitch, punto de marca, punto de cruz, tapisserie and stickerie as these are always charted. Designs range from simple and elaborate alphabets to borders, florals, pastoral scenes and more!

Be sure to browse the patterns for filet crochet as well, as these designs are often charted and feature simple designs that translate easily to needlepoint! Images for filet crochet range from flower urns and hunting scenes to alphabets and cherubs.

This list on the Free Patterns Page here on the site as well (look under Needlepoint Projects by Theme), to make it easy to find.

From About.com

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Mother's Day Sweepstakes from ArtBeads.com

 

Artbeads.com Inspiring Mom Sweepstakes

Prize Details

$250 Mother’s Day Inspired Jewelry Prize Pack including one finished jewelry piece hand-crafted by the Artbeads.com designer of your favorite Mother’s Day jewelry design, jewelry making books, beads, charms and other jewelry components.

Prize Eligibility

Only persons residing in United States and Canada who are at least 18 years of age can enter.

Sweepstakes Starts

April 07, 2010 @ 09:00 am (PDT)

Sweepstakes Ends

May 04, 2010 @ 09:00 am (PDT)

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Color of the Year 2010

Pantone announces the color of the year for 2010. Surprise, it is turquoise. They also have created a wedding colors sample book. You can find information about the colors for fall as well as the color of the day! [link]

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Jewelry Making Contest

Art Clay®, Metal Beads, Wirework & Chain
Be the next Grand Prize Winner and Internationally Published Designer-Artist in the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads Art Clay®, Metal Beads, Wirework & Chain Contest. Push the design envelope with metal creations, including Art Clay®, jumprings, metal beads, wirework and chain.

Ends Jan 12, 2010

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Design Your Own Fabric

This really has to be one of the coolest things available on the internet. You can design your own fabric and have it printed. And, you can do so in small quantities. Spoonflower has it's own design software on their website or you can upload your own design. Turn around is quick. There are weekly fabric design contests. more...

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