Win It Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Welcome to another WIN IT WEDNESDAY!  This week our Win It Wednesday prize is a Zentangle Basics Workbook and three Pigma Micron Pens.

Just Comment and Like the Facebook post to enter to win. A random winner will be announced Thursday, July 16. Facebook has complete release by each entrant or participant. (This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.) Winner will be announced on our Crafts Direct Facebook page and has 14 days to claim prize (Winner must pick up in-store or provide shipping address) before it is considered void. 

U.S. Residents only. ‪

Wierd (but cool!)

I have to share this with you:
Joana Vasconcelos is a Portuguese artist who creates crochet covers, patterning existing objects. I think it's amazing when something that is considered a craft/hobby can be turned into art. Check out these pictures.

Extreme Crafting

Today's project is kind of a different sort of project, it is more like a little something to inspire you to be bold with your crafting. If you checked out my blog about the Urban Craft Uprising you might have run across some of these groups that are changing the way we see crafting these days. The one that was most interesting to me is actually a knitting gang...that's right I said knitting gang. It is called Knitta, Please! "it is a group of more than 10 ladies of all ages, races, nationalities, religions, sexual orientation and gender". The group "tags" the city with colorful pieces knit from left over yarn with a note attached signed by Knitta, Please! along with their web address. Business owners are then greeted by a silly, thoughtful piece of art that is easily removed instead of the graffiti that is most commonly scattered in the city. The group originally began as an anonymous crew but as their popularity arose they were forced out of secrecy and are now finding themselves installing exhibits of their works in galleries. Ok, so you don't have to be this wild and crazy, but it is a great inspiration for us crafters to get involved socially with one another for good causes or for just plain fun. Tiff

Silhouettes

As promised I am going to attempt to bring you a new project every day through March. Today's project is making silhouettes for wall art. You can use either decorative paper or your favorite fabric. Don't be afraid to mix patterns it makes it more unique and interesting. Okay here's how, (this project is also found in Adorn Magazine), you can start with already existing photos or you can also take new ones.
1.Make sure that your subject is in a profile position. To make your image the size you desire for your frame you can use either a photo editing program such as Photoshop or you can also use a copy machine to enlarge the photo.
2.Next tape transfer paper colored-side down, to the back of your fabric or scrapbook paper. Use a pencil to trace around the outside edge of your subject. Then remove your photo and transfer paper and make adjustments to the drawing if you desire.
3.Cut out your silhouette along the transferred lines and also cut your contrasting paper or fabric to fit the frame you choose for your piece. Make sure that you have enough room between the frame and your silhouette so that it doesn't appear to be scrunched.
4. Glue your silhouette in the center of your contrasting paper and frame as desired.
If you are displaying more than one silhouette together it is nice to have variety in your choice of patterns and shapes of your frames. A way to unite them is to paint all of your frames the same color so that they tie into one another. Have fun with this project and get creative, maybe even try a silhouette of one of your pets! See ya tomorrow!
Tiff