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A BLOG ABOUT CRAFTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR NORTH

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Strawberry Love Cake

Ever notice how sliced strawberries make nearly perfect little heart shapes?  I did when whipping up this strawberry-topped cake for a friends fab bday.  You could just as easily make this cake for a loved one on Valentine's day.  It's super-easy, quickie quick and only looks hard!  Follow my steps after the jump for your own strawberry loooooooovvvve cake!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Only in Alaska : Crafter's Smackdown


Promo Photo courtesy of PS Photography Alaska

         A Sunday afternoon craft event generally evokes images of clicking knitting needles and Chatty Cathies catching up over tea. Less often do you hear shouts of "You wouldn't know a pom-pom if it bit you in the foot!" flying between tension-filled teams of crafters ready to do anything, including bribery, to win.
        But then again it's not every Sunday that the Crafter's Smackdown rolls into town. In fact, you can only catch this crafty chaos once a year in Anchorage, and this year it lands, ironically, on the day of love, February 14.
        Merriam-Webster defines "smackdown" as "a contest in entertainment wrestling" among other things. Combine that with a few glue guns, some random reusable crafting fodder, a few team-elimination rounds, sanctioned bribery, and a winning prize and you have the makings for the 5th Annual Crafter's Smackdown. Kooky though it sounds, this brainchild of Leah Magid and Tara Witterholt is really a clever fundraiser to make money for the non-profit preschool run by the Congregation Beth Sholom, and its ReCreation program. The program focuses on teaching children ways to turn recycled goods into art and upcycling to aid the community.

 The Craft Lady of Molybdenum, Jackie Shepherd, crafting her New Alaskan Seat of Power (secret ingredient: broken chair)

Click Here to read on . . .

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Winterflakes for the Window

I posted once before about this super-quick white chandelier (made from white circle stickers and string- soooo easy).

Well, I was missing a bit of snow up here (for some reason it's all melted!) so I made a slight adaptation for the window using security envelopes.

I noticed that a bunch of the security envelopes I'd been gathering have snowflake patterns inside in a lovely wintery blue.  So, I just punched circles out of them with a circle puncher I picked up at JoAnns.  Then I used the same system as I did for the chandelier but instead of making them into a chandelier I made long strands of snowflakes to hang in the window.

A fun and super easy project to bring the winter indoors (without the chill)!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Felted Sweater Socks Tutorial

Today marked the first launch of a Q&A style column I'm calling I'll-Ask-A-Crafter (get it, Alaska Crafter : I'll-Ask-A Crafter - yes, I know I'm a dork). And the first two questions I answered were about sweater socks and crocheting boyfriends- what fun! 


In the article I explain how to make these socks- super-quick felted footwear for lounging around the house.  I originally posted about these socks over at the Craft Addicts page.

Then I wanted to make a second pair and make them long enough for tucking into Xtra-tufs, so I modified the design a bit, and now have a new tutorial featuring the socks pictured below.  So, check out the tutorial after the jump or go here for the shorter version!



Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Craftercize!!!!

Yes, I did just say Craftercize.

I know we are all feeling a bit pudgy from the delectables we made this holiday season, so in order to get our buns in gear I've created a regiment of Craftercize sure to whip any crafter into shape. Just follow these six simple steps and you'll be on your way to a finely crafted body that will be the envy at all the quilt clubs. Follow along with my guided illustrations.

Author's Note: I am in no way, shape or form certified to give advice on exercise, so Craftercize at your own risk!

ARMS
The Tie-Dye Twist
Dip your dyes, and build some muscles. Twist the fabric in opposing directions for a tiring tie-dye experience.

More after the jump! 

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

2 In 1: Chalkboard Glass & Mustache Glass Tutorial


Here is a two-in-one tutorial for the New Decade!

I LOVE my stemless wine glasses, they're fun and funky, and I feel like I spill less when I use them.  The only problem is when guests come over there is no way to tell whose glass is whose.  There is no stem for a wine charm or a special glass slipper.  Soooooo, in comes the chalkboard glass.

And, of course, while making the chalkboard glass I had the overwhelming urge to make a mustache.  I think the idea worked into my brain from here.  So, here is the combo tutorial in pictures!  Check it out after the jump!!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Facebook Fun



 I have to admit, I've never been the hugest fan of the facebook/myspace life.  Just a bit time-consuming and way to addicting for my taste, until I found a fabulous way to use it - I created a Craft Addicts page and now I am truly a Facebook Addict!

If you don't know about the Craft Addicts, we're just a bunch of crafters who blog together here, and get together for fairs and the like whenever possible.  Lately we've been having Craftrama nights which you can see the results of here and here and here.  Pretty wild I know.  Anyhow, some of us live in Alaska but a lot of us are strewn out across the country.  Come blog along with us at www.craftaddicts.blogspot.com and if that is a touch too much commitment come join us on Facebook!!

Just log in and search Craft Addicts- we're the crafters partly in Alaska, partly in Georgia and partly everywhere else in the world!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Crafty Resolutions for 2010

It's that time of year when resolutions come crawling out of their dark and dusty holes. Say hello to the "Lose 10 pounds" and give a grin to the "Eat better, drink less." These fine friends are here again to greet us, goad us, guilt us, and then slither back to wherever they came from to hibernate for another year.

Or, perhaps it's time to try a new approach in 2010 and break the cycle. Get crafty with your resolutions and you may just have a little fun and actually fulfill one.

Read On for My Crafty Resolutions . . .

I'd love to hear all about yours too!  Leave them in the comments below . . .

Santa Nephew


We were lucky enough to spend time with my nephew this holiday season- remember when I stuck him in a pumpkin?  Well, this time we tried a stocking.  I think very soon he will not fit inside of things anymore so we have to get it while we can! He has the BEST facial expressions.
 
But nothing can beat this hilarious photo of him - I may be a newbie photographer but I really feel like I captured the essence and spirit of the little tyke.  Oh it makes me giggle every time I see it!

And to leave you with a happy face- because I know his mom would want that!