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Archive for December, 2011

Coffee Cup Cozies to Fuel Your Caffeine Addition

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

I don’t know about you, but most days I need at least a little bit of coffee or tea to get me going in the morning. Nothing wakes me up better than a nice warm cup of coffee (and a coffee roll, shhh). But I have to say, in this frigid weather and sitting in a frigid office, coffee tends to cool off a lot quicker. My solution? Making coffee cup cozies! Now, I don’t know how effective they are in keeping my coffee warm, but a coffee cup cozy sure is cute! Having one in my bag at all times also makes me feel a little bit better when I stop into my favorite coffee shop for a drink to go because I no longer use those cardboard sleeves.

So, coffee cup cozies were a little bit of an obsession for me over the holidays. I made one for almost every coffee and tea drinker that I knew. Luckily, almost all of our sister sites have patterns for coffee cup cozies! Go figure right? So I made this cute Greensleeves Coffee Cup Cozy from AllFreeKnitting.com for my mom because she loves green.

This (super easy to make) fabric coffee cup cozy that I found on AllFreeSewing.com went to my sister.

And I found this felted one on FaveCrafts.com to give to my pops.

So I found all these cozies and got to making them before the holiday and once I had finished I realized, what’s a coffee cup cozy without a coffee cup? A round piece of fabric that’s what. So I looked around on CutRateCrafts.com and sure enough we have a nice selection of tumblers to choose from. And when it comes down to it, it’s not the cozy that keeps your coffee warm, it’s the quality of the tumbler, so I got this one for myself and now my coffee stays warm from when I leave my apartment to when I reach my desk. Perfect!

So tell me, are you a caffeine-aholic too?

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Tags: coffee cup cozy, free knitting pattern, free sewing pattern
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So Many Supplies, So Little Space!

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

As crafters, many of us also tend to be hoarders… at least when it comes to supplies. If you’re anything like me, you probably have skein upon skein of yarn in your craft closet, sheets of fabric strewn every which way in your living room, and piles of scrapbook paper covering your coffee table. It’s just way too hard to resist sales at the craft store, and I always end up turning my living space into my own personal craft shop! I always thought this was great… I’d never have to run to the craft store for supplies since I was always stocked to the brim… but recently my craft stash got so out of control that I feel like I should be on an episode of the TV show “Hoarders”!

So what’s a crafty girl to do? If your goal in 2012 is to organize your supply stash, whether it’s yarn and hooks, fabric, paper and stamps, or anything else crafty, we’ve gathered some inspiration for you and also have recommendations on ways to stash your stuff so that they’re always handy, but out of your way.

First, take a look at these oh-so-organized craft rooms and let that serve as inspiration for you as we head into 2012. These ladies sure do have their supplies in order!

Supplies neatly tucked away by the ladies at Papertrey Ink

Some great organization tips from Karen at Sew Many Ways

Clever yarn cubby idea from the do stuff! blog

Another genius idea for keeping yarn organized, from Laughing Purple Goldfish Designs

Now, how can YOU get as organized as these lovely ladies? Here are some of our favorite space-savers, organizers and other handy storage solutions:

Ammee’s Babies TotoOrganizer Zip Pocket Hook Organizer

ScrapOnizer Toolbox Organizing System

Scrapfolio Expandable Storage Case

Tutto Craft On Wheels Large Case

Prestige Veritcal Marker Case

So, are you going to try and get organized in 2012?

What do you find most challenging about storing craft supplies?

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Tags: craft organization, craft organizer, craft room, crochet, knitting, organizers, organizing, yarn organizer
Posted in Tip or Technique | 2 Comments »

Deal of the Week: 45% Off Sewing Baskets

Monday, December 19th, 2011

This deal of the week is the perfect Christmas gift…for yourself! We all need to be a bit more organized (obsessive-compulsive crafters aside), and I’m sure many of you are jotting that goal on your list of New Year’s resolutions in a couple weeks. But let me tell you from a little experience that dark cabinets, out-of-reach shelves, and holey plastic bags are not going to cut it if you’re serious about organizing your craft supplies. Do yourself a favor, and invest in a sewing basket you can be proud of. If you buy one of our Prym sewing baskets this week, you’ll get it for only $21 and it will arrive just in time for the new year!

Let me tell you a few reasons why these Prym sewing baskets are just the thing to get your sewing supplies organized:

They come in adorable fabrics with prints fit for a seamstress. You can choose from three fabrics that feature antique dress forms, mod dress forms, or Parisian fashion.
The moveable handle means you can easily cart this sewing basket around the house or about town, while still stacking it snugly in a closet or cabinet.
A satin lining makes it easy to clean out lint and small threads so your sewing box always looks neat.
Bobbins, thimbles, needle-threaders, and other small items can be corralled in a lift-out tray separated into four compartments.
A matching pincushion attached to the lid renders straight pins and needles harmless.
Each basket has an elastic pocket that keeps special notions secure and within reach.
You can order a Prym sewing basket for $17 less than the original price this week!

Don’t stop at just one basket for yourself! Snap up these sewing baskets as a last-minute gift for friends who quilt or sew. It’s just the sort of thing that most people won’t buy for themselves (favoring a recycled shoebox instead), but would love to have. This sewing basket will make you smile every time you get out your supplies to start a new project!

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Tags: deal of the week, product review, quilting, sewing, sewing basket
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Deal of the Week: Save 40% on an Easy Knitting Round Loom Set

Monday, December 12th, 2011

If the holidays have got you stressed out, loom knitting is a great way to relax! No dropped stitches and no strained wrists mean no worries with the Easy Knitting Round Loom Set. This loom set comes with four brightly-colored round knitting looms in sizes from 5 inches to 11 inches in diameter. A complete set of instructions on loom knitting ensures that even beginners will be able to knit something warm and cozy on these knitting looms. With just a basic knowledge of loom knitting techniques, knitters can make a tubular scarf on the smallest loom, or a drapey cowl on the largest loom. Shawls, tube skirts, and legwarmers are just a few of the projects you can easily make with a knitting loom.

Once you have a little more experience with your Easy Knitting Round Loom Set, you can tackle more involved projects like hats, socks, and other garments that require decreasing. It would be easy to finish Loom Knit Christmas Stocking in the last few days before Christmas morning. This pattern can easily be adjusted to fit looms with more pegs for super-sized Christmas stockings! You can also experiment with Quick Looming a Hat or making Boot Slippers as last-minute Christmas gifts. If you have plenty of time, a Sparkly Snowflake Beret is a fun, festive project for practicing new stitches.

The Easy Knitting Round Loom Set also makes a great Christmas gift for any knitters in your life. A knitting loom can be a wonderful tool for crafters who have had to give up traditional knitting and crocheting because of arthritis or repetitive stress injuries. Using a knitting loom is much gentler on the hands, wrists, and elbows than regular knitting needles. Knitting looms are also a great way to teach children about knitting because knitting on pegs is often easier for children than knitting on needles. With a row of pegs, it’s very difficult to drop a stitch or add a stitch unintentionally!

But don’t wait too long to order these looms for Christmas! For this week only, the Easy Knitting Round Loom Set is 40% off, so you’ll save $8.00 on each loom set!

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Tags: deal of the week, knitting, knitting loom, loom knitting
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It’s Afghan Season: Are You Ready?

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Imagine this: You’re curled up in front of the fire, sipping hot chocolate and watching your favorite Christmas movie on TV. What could possibly be missing, you might ask? A comfy afghan wrapped around you, of course!

It’s no secret that afghans are a hugely popular project for knitters and crocheters during the winter months, and for good reason. I can’t imagine something much better than the above mentioned scenario, plus a cozy afghan made from warm, soft yarn in my favorite colors. In one word, this would be heaven.

Since I know a bunch of you are probably already working on your winter afghans, and others are looking to get started, I thought I’d share some of my favorite patterns (both crochet and knit) and some of the tools and resources I love to use when making my own afghans. Keep reading if you want to be warm and cozy this winter!

Afghan Pattern Favorites:

6 Hours or Less Throw: This crochet pattern from Lion Brand Yarn is wonderful because even beginners can complete it without too much trouble. Made with super bulky yarn, this afghan is the perfect warm blanket for a cold winter night!

Cheer Up Afghan: This is such a fun afghan to crochet because it features bobble clusters in its strips and squares. The overall look of this blanket is so simple yet so cool, especially when you use a colorful variegated yarn. Seeing this cheerful afghan on your couch when the weather outside is frightful will instantly bring a smile to your face!

Flame Stitch Afghan: What initially interested me about this afghan was its fun name. Even if you’ve never knit the flame stitch before (like me!), this afghan is super simple since all you do is repeat the same stitch over and over again. So once you learn the flame stitch, you’ll be able to whip up this fun afghan in no time! Isn’t it cute?

Tools and Resources:

50 Crocheted Afghan Borders from Leisure Arts: For anyone who’s ever finished an afghan and felt there was just something missing, this is just what you need! This book gives 50 afghan border ideas that will make your blanket complete. Give your afghan the perfect finishing touch with this handy book!

48 Hour Afghans: What could be better than a comfy, cozy blanket that you can finish in just two days? I love this book because I make a lot of afghans to give as gifts and the last thing I want to do is spend all of my free time working on blanket after blanket. Make some quick and easy afghans with the ideas in this fun collection!

Silvalume Flexible Afghan Hook: Anyone who’s made an afghan before knows that it can be tiresome, especially since you have to do so many stitches! This hook is great because it’s specifically designed for crocheting afghans. It has a 22 inch flexible cable which aids in working a large number of stitches. Try it and you’ll see why crocheters love this hook so much. It’s such a handy tool when working on large-scale projects!

Are you working on an afghan this winter? Tell us about it!

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Tags: afghan, afghan patterns, crochet, crochet afghan, knitted afghans, knitting
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Crafting for Christmas: A Great Way to Get in the Spirit

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

You know it’s coming. Can you feel it in the air yet? I am started to smell snow and see sparkly lights everywhere. All this Christmas cheer has really been getting me in the Christmas crafting spirit lately. It’s hard to really get into Christmas time if your house still just looks like your house, except with a big green spruce in the middle. As much as I love my Christmas tree, I need other holiday decor to really make it feel like Christmas is coming. Of course, for the sake of my husband, I don’t want the decor to be overwhelming either. That’s why I love the selection of Christmas trinkets on CutRateCrafts!

Here’s a fun idea for dressing up notes during the Christmas season. Aren’t these Christmas Carnival Brads just adorable?

Or what about these fun dimensional cookie stickers? An adorable way to decorate kids lunches!

Have an old bag that needs sprucing up? Or shopping tote you wanted to use for the holiday season? These Christmas Carnival Embroidered Patches will do the trick!

I think this red yarn would make a really cute knit Christmas stocking that you can hang on your fireplace, er…, or hallway if you don’t have a fireplace .

In the era of texting and emails, I know it can sometimes be unusual to receive handwritten notes, but call me old-fashioned I love them. Nothing makes me happier than leaving my husband a good morning note before I leave for work. What can make that better? Cute holiday paper to remind him just how much I love Christmas. And you know what, he likes it too (or at least that’s what he tells me). This cute paper is just what I need. I love the non-traditional Christmas color scheme.

It’s always so satisfying to be able to show off your craft skills on your Christmas tree for all of your friends and family to admire. These cross stitch Christmas cupcake ornaments are an easy way to do just that!

Those are just some of the quick ideas I had. What are some of your favorite ways to decorate the house during Christmas time?

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Tags: christmas, christmas decorations, holiday
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Deal of the Week: Crochet Hook Set 44% off

Monday, December 5th, 2011

The Crochet Master Steel & Aluminum Crochet Hook Set from CutRateCrafts.com makes the ideal gift for the crochet enthusiast in your family. The set comes in a classy vinyl case with helpful slots for each of the 16 steel crochet hooks and 8 aluminum crochet hooks inside—a set of 24 total hooks for any imaginable crochet project. Buy these for your crafty family members and friends and they’ll be “hooked” in no time, making projects like this gorgeous In-the-Round Square Navajo Lap Blanket. Take advantage of this one-week special: $20 off the whole set!

Don’t put it off until your last-minute shopping frenzy, though! For this week only, this hook set is $20 cheaper! Normally priced at $44.99, the Crochet Master Steel & Aluminum Crochet Hook Set is now $24.99 until the end of this week. That’s 44% off the original price!

Even if you are more crochet-savvy than the people on your list, this hook set is an excellent tool for making last-minute homemade gifts. With 24 hooks to spur your creativity, you’ll become a crochet queen or king in a snap. A Crochet Santa Hat is bright and festive on Christmas Eve, whole Murray the Merry Reindeer is an adorable gift or decoration. If you’re looking for great ideas for crochet stocking stuffers and gifts, check out these quick projects from FaveCrafts.com and AllFreeCrochet.com:

Cute Crochet Book Bag: Read your books and bring them with you too!
New Year Bell Potholder: Ring in the New Year with a precious pot holder.
Adult Elf Slippers: These house shoes are warm, cozy and cute!
Crochet Scarf and Hat Roving Set: This crochet hat and scarf set will keep your loved ones warm all winter!

You can make all of these projects and more before Christmas if you order the Crochet Master Steel & Aluminum Crochet Hook Set, 44% off this week only. Get your $20 discount while supplies lasts!

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Tags: crochet, crochet hook set, crochet hooks, crochet review, deal of the week
Posted in Crochet | Comments Off