Talk Crafty To Me Dedicated to all things handmade

It’s craft fair season folks! Time to get out there and support your local community of artists and crafters, by buying handmade this holiday. Got Craft? Is a great event, that this year is happening not only in Vancouver, but also in London. Definitely check it out if you’re in either area.

Got Craft? London
Sunday, November 27th, 2011
11-5pm
Tooting Tram and Social, 46-48 Mitcham Road London SW17 9NA
Admission: £1.00
http://gotcraft.com/london

Got Craft? Vancouver
Sunday, December 4th, 2011
10-5pm
Royal Canadian Legion – 2205 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Admission: $3.00
http://gotcraft.com/vancouver

Posted by: kelly

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Apparently the general consensus on when you should mail your Christmas cards seems to be the first week in December. That means if you’re planing on making your cards this year, it’s time to start thinking about them.

I know, I know, it’s still November and seems way too early to be thinking about Christmas, but as the weather starts to turn and the days get shorter and shorter, why not get started early before the real rush of the season kicks in and you get distracted by all the fun holiday parties!

Here are just a few great examples of how you can get creative with your own holiday cards. Combine these simple techniques and let your imagination guide you.

1. & 2. Modern Holiday 3D Tree & Ornament Cards: Use bold trendy patterned paper to make these modern holiday cards really stand out.

3. Sewn Bunting Holiday Card: These whimsical cards are so cute and easy to create. Simply cut small triangles out of scrap material and sew to the front of your cards.

4. Pop-up Reindeer Card: Although this card looks a little more complicated, Samir’s great tutorial makes it easy for you to recreate to this cute pop-up card yourself.

5. Modern Christmas Tree Card: Another modern, but simple card, made by wrapping embroidery floss around a card. Little whole punched notches help hold it in place to create a decorative tree.

6. Shape Punched Holiday Cards: These cards are made easily by punching out shapes in card stock. You can find all kinds of craft punches at your local craft store.

7. Thumbprint Reindeer Card: This cute idea is perfect for kids. Use your thumb to stamp reindeer heads your card. Then glue on googly eyes and pom-pom noses, and finish by drawing on the antlers.

8. Happy Snow Stamped Card: Vivian from Polka Dot Robot, shows you how easy it is to create a unique holiday card with just a couple of stamps and some imagination. She also beautifully decorated the inside of the envelope with some co-ordinating patterned paper.

9. Die Cut Ornament Card: A great idea for those of you with lots of people on your mailing list. This card uses a die-cutting machine to create the ornament shapes, but you could use craft punches to create a similar look.

Posted by: kelly

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TalkCraftyToMe is getting a jump on the holiday season, we’re back with this year’s edition of “Handmade Holidays”.

For some reason Christmas always has a way of sneaking up on me, and I can never seem to get everything done that I had planned. I always have grand ideas of making decorations and creating homemade gifts, but there just never seems to be enough hours in the day. So this year we’re getting started early!

First up, we’re talking advent calendars. I know I’ve talked about this before, but I was a little late to the game, and lets face it, if your handmade advent calendar isn’t ready to go by December 1st, well… it just isn’t gonna happen. So with a few more weeks left whip something up, here’s a look at some great alternatives to store bought advent calendars.

1. Christmas Tree Advent Calendar: Download the free template and create your own little forest of Christmas Trees. Use your favorite patterned papers and fill each of the 24 trees with a unique surprise to help personalize this project.

2. Paper Stocking Advent Calendar: This project is perfect for kids. Simply cut out the template on card stock and then decorate away. You can fill each stocking with a candy cane treat for each member of the family.

3. All Shapes and Sizes Countdown Calendar: Purchase this calendar or use it as inspiration to create your own pocketed calendar.

4. Christmas Countdown Wreath: Combine two holiday traditions with this count down wreath. It uses magnets to attach little metal tins to the wreath that you can fill with candy and treats of your own.

5. Advent Train: This idea comes from a German site, but would make a great addition to an fireplace mantel. Paint the train in your favorite Christmas colours and fill will all kinds of goodies. Check your local craft store or even Amazon for unfinished wooden trains.

6. Lego-inspired stack-able treat boxes: Not only is this a super cute and unique idea, but there’s also a fabulous tutorial to show you everything you need to know to make your own stack-able lego Christmas tree.

7. Snowing presents Advent calendar: Another totally unique idea for an advent calendar. This cute project depicts two little kids jumping for their presents as they snow down around them.

8. Decorated Tree Advent Calendar: While this idea isn’t new, creating your own little tree to decorate is a great way to make your advent calendar as imaginative and creative as you are.

9. Baby Sock Advent Calendar: Last but not least, from the queen of crafting Martha Stewart, comes this super easy baby sock calendar. Simply purchase 12 pairs of different of baby socks (or 24 and make one to share with a friend) sew them to a ribbon and fill them with treats.

Posted by: kelly

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I’m so excited to finally be able to tell you all about Happy Sew Lucky, a new Vancouver business, run by local designer and friend Berene Campbell. Launched a little over a month ago, Happy Sew Lucky is a labour of love that’s been in the making for the past year. These adorable DIY kits are all designed by Berene herself, hand cut, and packed with the help of some very supportive friends and family.

Due to my crazy travel schedule these days, I wasn’t able to try out one of the kits myself, but instead I enlisted the help of one of my good friends, who also happens to be a new mom, and has just gotten her first sewing machine. Laura graciously agreed to give one of these kits a go and document her experience.

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I was both excited and nervous to have the project of making Happy Sew Lucky’s Minky Cat. Excited because it’s a super cute design made from soft 100% organic cotton and nervous because my sewing expertise to date involved hemming some curtains and inventing a Halloween costume for my daughter. I had never used a pattern before. Fortunately the instructions were very well written and easy to follow. I made sure I had everything in order, took a deep breath and began.

It was confidence building to start with the section of the project I was pretty sure I couldn’t mess up – ironing part of the pattern onto the fusable batting. Then once I had all of the small pieces cut out it was time to sew them together. For me this was the trickiest part because of the tight corners. What was nice about the instructions is that they very honestly mentioned this part is tricky and offered some advice. I found that even though my corners weren’t the most perfect the design of Minky is quite forgiving. Once I had all the pieces sewn together and the right way out, any slightly off course stitching didn’t seem too obvious!

Attaching Minky’s ears, legs, arms and tail was a little more complicated but once again the instructions helped keep me on track. I did manage to sew Minky’s ears on back to front (sorry Minky!) but I am going to put that down to sleep deprivation because the instructions and diagram really were excellent.

The final part of hand sewing Minky’s head to her body was a little finicky but even with my limited sewing experience I triumphed. The end result was a Minky Cat that I proudly compared to the photo on the packaging and found a close likeness (minus the back to front ears!).

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- For more information on Happy Sew Lucky Kits, including where to buy, check out the website!

Posted by: kelly

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December has arrived… and thus the countdown to Christmas begins! There’s just something about marking off the days that I’ve loved ever since I was little. Ok I’ll admit, it probably has a lot to do with that little chocolate hidden behind each door, but still, having an advent calendar is a great way to kick-start the holidays. Here are some great ideas for handmade advent calendars, if you’re looking for something a little more personal.

1. Advent Pockets 2. Felt Advent Calendar 3. Countdown Calendar 4. Mitten Garland 5. Framed Presents 6. Hand Pressed Winter Calendar 7. Toilet Paper Tube Garland 8. Wooden Box Calendar 9. Here Comes Santa Calendar

Posted by: kelly

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Hey Vancouver Peeps… are you looking for a way to bring some handmade goodness to your holidays? Well you’re in luck… here are two events happening in town that are sure to get you inspired, whether you’re making your own gifts or simply prefer to purchase handmade this season.

First up is the Holiday Craft Drop-in at Plush on Main St…

Plush on Main St. is opening it’s studios and hosting a Holiday Craft Drop-In. Join them for an afternoon of holiday crafting on either Saturday Dec. 4th or Saturday Dec. 11th. Simply bring your crafting supplies, and they’ll provide sewing, cutting, painting, and glue gun stations, as well as access to a big heap of fabric remnants from Plush’s studio.

What: Event: Holiday Craft Drop In
Where: Plush – 4296 Main Street, Vancouver
When: Noon to 4:00 p.m. on both Saturday, December 4th and 11th, 2010

*No registration required, just drop in

Up next is the annual Got Craft? Holiday Show…

Vancouver’s largest indie craft fair is back, just in time for the holidays. This year featuring over 55 local handmade vendors! Shoppers can expect to find the crème de la crème of indie goods: handbags, ceramics, letterpress stationary, jewelry, silk-screened t-shirts, kid friendly items, body products and more! Swing by the Spool of Thread booth to create DIY projects or be one of the first 45 through the door for a coveted swag bag.

What: Got Craft? Holiday Show
Where: Royal Canadian Legion, 2205 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
When: Sunday, December 5th, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $3.00 (kids free)

For more info, check out http://www.gotcraft.com

Posted by: kelly

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More often than not Halloween decorations can be pretty tacky, or over the top, but I love this subtle tone-on-tone bat pillow from Ameroonie Designs. Check out the tutorial and make your own. While you’re at it, why not try a white one with ghosts, or an orange one with pumpkins!

Posted by: kelly

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Nothing sets the mood for a Halloween party more than lighting. So I’ve rounded up some of my favorite lighting ideas to help you create a festive glow in your home.

Glam Goth Candle Holders | Dollar Store Candle | Tin Can Jack-O-Lanterns | Painted Jar Luminaries | Spooky Packing Tape Transfers | Silhouette Luminaries | Vellum Table Lanterns | PVC Flicker Flame Lights | Costumed Candle Holders

Posted by: kelly

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These adorable costumes from Pottery Barn have been making their way around the internet and I can definitely say I’m smitten! I don’t have a little one to dress up, but if I did I know I wouldn’t be spending upwards of $50 on a costume.

So I was delighted to find this DIY replica of the cupcake costume. This no-sew version came out to a mere $18.67 and is pretty darn cute. Patrice from Lemon Tree Creative, shows you the steps she took to recreate this, with no sewing involved!

- See the tutorial

Posted by: kelly

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Where does the time fly? I can’t believe it’s already the middle of October and I’m just getting started on my Halloween posts! Ooops…. Well, hopefully to make up for it, I’ve got a great project to share with you from the fabulous people at Alpha Mom!

This Halloween Fun-House is perfect for those of you with little ones, but it also makes a great prop if you’re throwing a party or just want to decorate your lawn.

All you need are a couple of cardboard boxes, some paint, and your imagination! With the help of this tutorial, you can have your own spooky haunted house in no time!

Posted by: kelly

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