Double Craftiness

Here’s a couple of projects from that seventies series of craft books, Encyclopedia of Crafts, to spark your creative drives. A purse that looks like a house (instructions) and slippers made by crocheting recycled fabric (instructions).

I can think of so many ways to personalize that purse, add critters, different flowers, crocheted little squares for shingles instead of the raffia. On and on.

The slippers crocheted from recycled fabrics makes me think of fabric choices like old flannel pajamas, sweatshirts, t-shirts. Just imagine how those textures would feel on your feet. Mmmm. Must start ripping up old t-shirts….

Enjoy.

Twisted Tissue

Twisted tissue sounds like a rock band name, doesn’t it? Really, it is just another project from the Encyclopedia of Crafts, that 24 volume series of 1970′s era craft books that are long out of print, but that I was lucky enough to find a complete set of at an estate sale. I have been bogged down at the day job and struggling with the fuzzy blue yarn at night and meant to post something about that blue yarn project, but alas, it remains incomplete. So you get another crafty project.

Twisted tissue is a cool way to recycle all the colored tissue paper you have stashed away. You know, the paper you really don’t use but hate to trash because it is just too pretty. This looks like a good way to put that paper to use. Or this project could serve as an excuse to buy some more pretty tissue paper from the $1 store. Either way, enjoy. And as always, if you do complete one of these projects, please let me know and post a picture somewhere. I would love to see your creation. And click that pic to see it big.

Soft Sculpture

Here’s a fun project from Encyclopedia of Crafts, a soft paintbox and cup with brush. I remember back when I was in high school, the dark ages as my husband refers to it, the seventies, when a friend made a soft sculpture big wheel bicycle for her project at school. Today we refer to these kind of projects as plush or softies. If anyone attempts this, I would love to see a picture. Click here for the pdf instructions and click the picture to see it big. Enjoy.

Painting

So I was leafing through one of the 24 volumes of the Encyclopedia of Crafts looking for a project to scan and pdf (is that even a verb?) when I stumbled upon this page. I don’t know why, but the idea that this woman wanted crocheted curtains on windows that they would not fit on and didn’t let that stop her, just really impressed me. She did a fabulous job by the way. It makes me look anew at some of the windows here at my house. Now my windows are plenty big enough for curtains, but I paint way faster than I crochet.

Speaking of which, I have been crocheting a very fluffy blue cat forever. I got tired of looking at all that blue fluff last weekend and whipped out these two humorous paintings. It felt good to get that out of my system. Sometimes I just need to paint. I like these goofy critter close ups and think I might have to paint a few more using different but equally bright colors. These two are for sale if you think you’d like a little silliness hanging on your walls. And as always, click on the photo to see it bigger. Enjoy.

Double Fun

Since today is a holiday in the USA and I get paid to stay home and work in my studio, I thought I’d post two Encyclopedia of Crafts projects. One for you softies makers and one for you crocheters. I haven’t tried either project, but both look like a fun way to spend your day off. Enjoy!

Patchwork Toys PDF

Crocheted Beads PDF

Yarn Scraps

While cleaning my studio this afternoon and bagging lots of little pieces of yarn, I wondered why was I saving all these little scraps of yarn. Waste not, I guess is my reasoning. I figured that eventually I’d find a good use for these scraps and be glad I didn’t throw it all away.

I was planning on scanning another project from The Encyclopedia of Crafts today after clearing a layer of stuff out of the studio. I approached this as I always do, go the shelf in the studio where the complete set of books are and picking a volume randomly. I never cease to be amazed at what I find in the pages of 1970′s era craft projects. And wouldn’t you know it, the volume I chose, #3, had a project for what to do with yarn scraps. I may try this. I have plenty of scraps and a bunch of clothesline type cording leftover from making scrap fabric bowls. I’m sure you’ve seen these: fabric bowls.

There are probably a million people already creating yarn necklaces and I’m the last to discover this method of scrap yarn usage. I was thinking of making little shaped stuffed pillows, brooch sized, and combining the shaped pillows with the yarn necklace. Great, another project for my list of “one of these days I’m gonna…..”

Anyone out there reading this have experience making belts or necklaces using their yarn scraps? Do tell.

(click the picture and you can download a PDF of the page)

1970′s Cat & Dog Softies

There is a growing movement of crafters and artists creating soft, stuffed objects these days. Some of the creations are inanimate objects rendered soft via fabric or yarn. Many are animals also made soft and most times squishy. These creations go by the name softies, stuffies, plush and any other number of descriptive nomenclature. But just as many movements past, this is not a new idea. I found a very cute pattern for a stuffed felt cat and dog in The Encyclopedia of Crafts, that seventies craft book 24 volume series I have previously sited. Download the pdf pattern here. I hope someone makes one of these cuties and shares the photos with us. Don’t make me do it. I have way too many projects as it is. Enjoy.

Sock Elephant

Time for another Encyclopedia of Crafts trip back to the seventies. Although this project looks like it could have been created today. We’ve all seen those cute critters made from socks: monkeys, puppies, pigs etc. The Encyclopedia of Crafts features a sock elephant which I think is very hip looking. Don’t you agree? I have scanned the instructions and you can download them as a PDF here. If you make an elephant, please post a pic somewhere and let us know where. I’d love to see this elephant created from some wild, funky socks…..

Trapunto

I have been lusting for this outfit since I first saw it and tore the pages out of a magazine way back during my high school days.

I love the look of and name of trapunto. I was always going to try my hand at it. God my list of “one of these days I’m going to make” is getting really long.

A couple of years ago I finally threw the pages away. Then I found that set of Encyclopedia of Crafts books and there was that outfit again. I still think its a really cool look. Maybe not so much the scarf, reminds me too much of my chemo days. But that jacket. And the print of that dress. Love it.

So I have copied the pages and made a PDF for you to download right here. There’s a little history of trapunto there, some instructions and even a motif to trace and try your hand on creating your own trapunto piece of art. Enjoy.

The Encyclopedia of Crafts

I have multiple projects in various stages of incomplete right now and rather than finalize any of them, I’m going to start a new series on my little blog here. The Encyclopedia of Crafts is a 24 volume set of hardback books published in 1975 that has lots of cool 70s pictures and loads of craft project instructions. I scored the complete set in perfect condition at an estate sale last year and I find myself returning to page through for inspiration and amusement. Did I mention that I graduated from high school (I will now reveal just how old I am) in 1974. These pictures are so familiar to me, I remember many of these projects from magazines back then.

I think I will post some of my favorite projects and whatever else strikes my fancy from this book. Today I present the beginner’s crochet project and learning to crochet instructions. This is for you, Donna, give it a try. Click here for a PDF.

I find it interesting that I think the rug looks very modern, very today. I love the colors. I’ve always wanted to make a rag rug and love this hot pink version. Another project to add to the “must do someday” list.

Click on the pics for bigger versions and don’t forget to download the PDF for a trip down memory lane for some and a historical peek at the past for the rest.