Go Ahead... MAKE ME!!

What a great tutorial from Crafty Nest on a super cool mirror. Of course, I wouldn't have gone with a gray color, but that's just me.

Awhile back I was doing some online shopping (aka. drooling over things I can't currently afford) and found this fab lampshade from Anthropologie:

"Appliqued organza flowers of pink and citrine ricochet across hardbacked cotton. * Hardbacked * Cotton, styrene, metal * 10"H, 16" diameter * Imported style #960002 $128.00"

$128.00 for a lampshade?? Umm.. nope. Can't quite swing that.

Instead I went to a thrift store, bought a decent enough looking lampshade for $3.00, some fabric paint at the craft store, and a nice bunch of Sharpie pens. This is my take on the Anthropologie.com lampshade:

Wouldn't it be fun to meet other creative types, enjoy some dessert, and spend an evening whipping up a nifty project to take home? I think so, too.

I'm thinking that if I could find a place to donate some space where dozens of tables could be set up, we could have something kinda cool going on. Each table would feature a different project theme, ranging from decoupage, to knitting, to jewelry making, you name it. You can bring your own project* to work on and sit with other people doing their own thing. Or pick a table and join a project leader who will show you how to make something cool.

*If you bring your own project, we would ask that it wouldn't involve fire, electricity, or messy stuff like aerosol sprays. Your neighbor might not appreciate being spray painted. (Or maybe they would, but that would be a totally different type of social event.)

Ideas:
• Guys are invited! It's not an event for children, but nursing/sleeping babies are welcome.

• An art/craft business promotion table. If you have an Etsy shop, run a fabric store, or have a creative business you'd like to promote, bring a flyer or some business cards. We'll have a designated place for you to put them. (No selling or pestering the guests, though.)

• Maybe get people who already have an Etsy shop to discuss tips/tricks for selling?

• $5 to help cover costs as a fee?

• Snacks and beverages would be provided?

• Bring your own supplies, if you like? Maybe we could set it up so people could check back here when the event gets closer, and we'll post the list of project choices and stuff you might bring?

.... Submit some ideas, please!

On May 22nd there was the Chicago Craft Social! Approximately 100 people showed up. Why can't NH have something similar? To see photos of the Chicago event visit the Chicago Craft Social Flickr pool.

At Pickles I've found this FABULOUS lampshade tutorial. It's easy as can be, and you may have even done something like this when you were in kindergarten... but they've made it look mod and interesting!

I'm definitely making a few of these!

This is just too cute! Thanks to Yawoot for this great printable download :)

Ok. this is adorable! Betz White adds this to her supercool blog.

I found this on "Making it Lovely", which transforms the SOSO into WOWs.

I figure you can follow these directions, or try and figure out a way to make this without a saw.. which is loud and messy.

I thought this was a fabulous idea from Kristen's Creations! Why go buy cardboard banners when you can have this unique and much more festive decoration? Plus... once you make one, you can make all sorts of them.. congratulations, welcome home, etc! Great idea!

Now I'm sure there are ways to knock some of the pricing down, here. The wide outdoor fabric? Ouch... pricey.. How about king sized sheets w/some sort of protectant spray? Gotta be cheaper. Anyway... Coolest thing ever and I want to make one today!

From the peeps at Sunset.com

Something great from Design*Sponge! How adorable would these be in your kitchen?

One of the best sites ever? Instructables. Oooh yes.

This is super cool.. no sewing involved, just some stapling. Very cool little make up case (or what-have-you).

Make it and Love it shows us a really easy pattern to make a great little car trash bag. Considering that finding trash in my car drives me BATTY, I may just work this one up today!

Check out Craftster for amazing ideas. Here's a Froggie dresser!

The peeps over at Craft G33k give us step by step directions on how to make a good cup o' chai.

I'm definitely going to try this out. I LOVE iced chai in the summer!

(By the way, when you write to your friends to tell them that you've become great at making chai... don't misspell and say "I love making a cup of chia tea!" Its' an easy misspell and it sounds gross.)

Gorgeous Craigslist cart makeover by Craftynest! I adore this project and plan on hunting a cart like this down.

Great idea from Design Sponge! (and Tutorial!) I'll tell you, I had a tough time finding a very plain magazine holder to do this with, but in the end I found Ikea sells the plain pine wooden magazine holders that work perfectly for this! I ended up painting mine, adding some holds (using my trusty Dremel tool!) and using it in my laundry area. Now I can hang some shirts/whathaveyou while doing laundry.

I will say that this came from a blog named "Laughing Daisies", which has now changed hands and I cannot seem to track back to the original post. BUT... it's still such a great idea that I share it.

The box itself is a simple wooden silverware holder. I've seen these all over.

The used beautiful scrap book paper to line the back of each of the compartments, then bought neat drawer pulls to hang the necklaces/bracelets off of.

I plan on writing to the original owner and asking for her instructions, but if you're at all crafty (And I'm sure you are!) you can re-create this easily!

"When the perfect finishing touch for a project is nowhere to be found in stores or your stash, it's time to do it yourself."

With the high cost of unique buttons, here's a great way to create and save some cash! I think having the kids help with this would be a great family project. Not to mention, if you feel like selling some of these you'd probably be able to stimulate your own economy!

So much better than simply buying a hostess gift. The maker of this little creation used various found objects, a cookie sheet, some inginuity and creativity. Check out JunkMarket Style if you're one of those people who simply cannot throw anything away... ever!

How sweet would it be to put a little Valentine note in these and give them to friends? They'd also look really cute sitting in a little bowl. Super easy... fun to make with the kiddletts too!

Great Tutorial on Brassy Apple!

Hindu Art dresser, originally uploaded by Nefarious Cupcake.

One night feeling rather board and glum, I decided to whip something up for fun :)

So cute Japanese Coin Purse Tutorial by Purlbee :)

Cut out and Keep features this Totally super awesome cool Yip Yip Martian! Am I gonna make one? Yip yip yip yip - uh huh uh huh!

Check out how to make him here: Cut out and Keep

Seriously? Cutest darn stuffed kitty ever!!! I'm going to go make at least 12 of these!

Instructions Here: WeeWonderfuls Pointy Kitty Pattern.

CosmicPluto Knits has offered up a gorgeous Cardigan pattern for free. Longer cardigans are definitely in style now, so why not spend some knitting time with this one? Don't have the need for a longer cardigan? Take a look at some of their other patterns... they have some really cute sweaters!

Made by Tess recently posted some quickie instructions on how to make a fun and fluffy tulle tutu like the one she's wearing in this cute self-portrait. Link.

Feed Your Soul - This is great. Here’s some stationery downloads. Super pretty! Indie Fixx Downloads!

Coolest, Geekiest cat bed ever! This kitty named Chewbacca looks cozy as ever on his Millennium Falcon cat bed by urka on Craftster.

Seriously. Cutest damn thing ever. This is a little flower box that sticks to your fridge. How cute? Bring the Green movement to your fridggy! How to here: Instructables.

Oskay2 turned an old monitor into a cat bed, seems like the cat likes it, or it's just a clever background image. See this at Make.

Great Zombie Plushies!!! I found this on Flickr's CRAFT pool, no "how to", but seriously... it's felt. Have at it!

My sweetheart isn’t the cupid and roses type. This wee olive-of-love suits him fine. Maybe an olive will charm your beloved too!

Do you have one zillion plastic drugstore and grocery bags under your sink, or perhaps smushed into a drawer? Ever wanted a cheap and easy use for them? Check this recycled plastic bag tutorial out.