Everyone is doing a part to help the devastating situation in Haiti, even the craft community. Visit the Craft Hope store on Etsy to purchase lovely handmade items. All proceeds will benefit Doctors Without Borders in Haiti.
As of January 20, 2010, they have sold over 1,000 items and raised over $20,000. Amazing.
For more information visit Crafthope.com.
| Decor
Ok, I realized this is my second Lego post—I guess that proves that a classic can continue to reinvent itself. Lego has produced the Guggenheim and Falling Water—neither for the faint of Lego. I actually grew up in an Atlanta house designed by one of FLW’s apprentices, Robert Greene—I wonder if I could build it out of Legos? Might be worth a try, on the next rainy Sunday.
Found via.
Apparently I’m a little late to this, but I just found this blog, 1000 Awesome Things, which apparently is also a book which apparently everyone else knows about. (I say this because the site is nearing 10 million hits, won a Webby award, and have been covered by every major news outlet. But still, yes, new to me.)
When I logged on, the most recent post on the site made me say in my head “yes. yes, that really is awesome.” Number 587 in the list of 1000 Awesome Things: Taking your ponytail out. Guys, unless you have long hair, you really don’t know how freeing this can be. Ladies, you’re with me, right?
The drawings above are by Monsieur Cabinet. I’m not sure if he was commissioned to make them or if he just felt moved to do so, but they illustrate what I assume are his favorite Awesome Things. Here are 3 of my faves. (Especially the Q and the U luck.)
#602 Setting the new high score on a video game
#990 Picking up a Q and a U at the same time in Scrabble
#796 The sound of rain from inside a tent
Found via.
Last night my 6 year old niece Grey called me for help with a school project. The assignment was to collect 100 of something, anything, and then assemble it somehow, anyhow. I’m tickled/touched/honored that I’m the go-to reference for my nieces and nephews when it comes to crafts.
After talking her out of gluing 100 M&Ms to a piece of poster board, we settled on a mosaic of sorts, made from fragments of magazine pages. So Grey cut 100 slivers and grouped them by color to form a rainbow. This is Grey at work…
Grey’s project came just one day after I found this blog called A Collection A Day, 2010, where the writer is posting a collection, either a photo or a drawing, every day in the year 2010. As an obsessive collector myself (owls, antique compacts, vintage tags), I’m totally obsessed with her pursuit. The photo of clothespin above, is from Day 6.
Ok, so maybe it’s a little cliche to be a crafter and to love Martha Stewart, but I’m admitting it. Right here. I heart Martha Stewart. Maybe her extensively detailed articles on the proper laundering techniques of bed sheets or pruning apple trees can get a little tedious, but sometimes her crafts are so right on.
This craft is not actually hers (but really, which ones are?); it’s by Jodi Levine, one of her craft gurus. (I swear I saw Jodi at the new Michael’s here in NYC, but I was too craft-struck to say anything.)
Instead of sending disposable paper greetings, she made these very easy tissue packet holders from felt (my fave source for wool felt is Magic Cabin) and stamped the top tissue with a sweet greeting. Easy, flat, and perfect for winter.
Love.
I love it when two good brands collaborate. Like Legos and Muji.
They’ve joined to create this genius new product that comes with traditional Lego blocks, paper, and a puncher. There are 4 amazing sets but sadly, they are only sold in Japan. But there must be a way to DIY this…stay tuned.
Off to buy Legos!
Via.
Celio Braga, Placebos, 2008-09
Or, cut paper rather. Over the holiday I saw a really impressive exhibition called Slash: Paper Under the Knife at the Museum of Art and Design in Manhattan, a totally great, very digestible museum. You just can’t image all of the techniques that are explored in the show, from stop motion video to sculpture to photographic images that didn’t use a camera. It’s seriously the kind of show that falls flat online or even in the catalog…it’s a must see in person. And lucky for you it’s up until April, so you have time to make it to New York.
ps…the Braga piece above is made from medical paper inserts found in prescription medications of friends and family.
Seriously.
Go
See
This.
Image via.
| DIY Home, Everyday Crafts, Food, Gifts, Upcycled
Of all art supplies, I find etching cream to be the most magical. Ok, maybe magic is an overstatement, but it certainly packs a big wow. I discovered the stuff a few years ago, and I must say, it’s hard to go wrong, as long as you follow the directions. Here are a few ways to use craft with it…just be sure to wear rubber gloves; it burns when it touches your skin!
Etched Glass Kitchen containers, Martha Stewart
Etched silhouette mirror, Living with Lindsay
Cocktail conversation, ReadyMade.com
Oh and if you want to try another fool proof frosting technique for larger areas, you can also try Glass Frosting by Krylon.
| DIY Home, Everyday Crafts, Kids Rooms, Organization, Upcycled, Wall Decor, Yarn & Fabric
I have a thing for embroidery hoops. They are just round windows of opportunity, priced at next to nothing and often available at yard sales, thrift stores and the like. Here are a few of my fave ideas…
Embroidery Hoop Chalkboard, by Bliss in a Teacup, Etsy $35;
Bulletin board hoops via LushLee.
Suspended from the ceiling…oh my! via Erin Ever After.
My Heart Belongs In…by Moxie Doll, $32, Etsy.
This is a terribly strange feeling, talking to absolutely no one. I feel like Christian Slater from Pump Up the Volume preaching without the certainty of anyone listening.
A quick (and short) history of The Violet Hours, as it pertains to me, the writer. I have worked for many years crafting, writing, and creating for other people, and this is my first forum to craft, write, and create for me. We’ll see where it takes me.
My title comes from an old book by Bernard DeVoto called The Hour—a humorously written book about the cocktail of all things. But the Violet Hour specifically refers to twilight, or the more commonly known concept of happy hour. It’s that fertile time when people are rushing home, when the work day is complete, and time becomes your own to drink, to read, to craft, to breathe.
So…welcome to The Violet Hours, or, rather, thanks for adding me to your already full blog line-up.