Fine Craft Guild .com » Art Books & Journals

PS I Made This

Fine Craft Guild — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:46:00 +0000

great title, great book.

Part designer DIY
Part fashion
Part lifestyle inspiration guide.

I counted 27 projects in this book. All are practical and with easy (obvious) to follow instructions.

Sample Trendy Fashion Project 1

How to Make a Fancy Ruffle Shirt

(Upcycling a plain boring white t-shirt)

Sample Trendy Fashion Project 2

Get real: How about a feather skirt? I love this one. Fancy the fun of making this, let alone wearing this. My entire village here would talk about it. Ha ha… Love it.

Sample Trendy Fashion Project 3

A glamorous top with glued-on glitter… Mmm..: this is more for me…

Get Inspired

Not only does the writer Erica Domesek give us great projects to do ourselves, with step-by-step instructions; she also shares where she gets her inspiration from, encouraging us to cross-pollinate ideas and be creative ourselves.

As styles are diverse, surely not all 27 will be according to your taste. However, they don’t need to be. If you are an avid reader of my blog, this book will be a teaser for you to apply your own creativity.

You’ll pick up some techniques, which you can take further and you restyle, refashion or reuse things to represent you, using the book as your initial starting point and how-to guide.

E.g. If you don’t like those bouncy balls in that tied pantyhose necklace, well, use something else instead. You could use some left over foam balls, or even some IKEA packaging materials, chopped up. The pack I opened last night had a great foam cube in it that just screamed ‘craft me’ into something good !! Or, use a could of standard black/white dices instead. All these would make great statement jewelry, riding along the lines of black/white and recycling trends.

See it, like it, buy it:

PAPERBACK VERSION: P.S.– I Made This: I See It. I Like It. I Make It
KINDLE VERSION: P.S.– I Made This

Click Here For Other: Craft, DIY & Interior Design Book Reviews

Enjoy free shipping on orders over $25 (conditions apply).

(ps i made this – images source: pinterest)

DIY Postcard Journal / Calendar

Fine Craft Guild — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:55:00 +0000

Pin It

Need a new calendar for 2012? Don’t buy anything *. Make one yourself instead. Like how?

Here’s an idea: perpetual postcard calendar / Asley from ‘Under the Sycamore’ showed this really sweet perpetual calendar / journal idea last week at designsponge.com, and I want to share it with you today, as it’s easily transferrable into a 2012 day timer for your desk.

What did Asley do?

Journaling Made Easy

Pretty, huh?!

“Growing up, I kept a daily journal. I always enjoyed looking back at previous entries to see what had changed over the course of a year.

These days, I can’t seem to find the time to journal, but I do try to jot down a little note from each day on my perpetual calendar/journal.

The idea is very simple — flip to the current date and at the end of the day, write down something that happened. Some days it is big things like “Annie took her first steps.” explained Asley about her calendar / journal idea.

I instantly loved this journal box, as it underpins a core philosophy of how we live our lives. What we do instead is this: every evening before sleeping we reflect and state our ‘best part of the day’. It’s a great way of falling asleep full of gratitude and happiness for life itself.

However, with some exceptions, we don’t write these ‘best parts of life’ down. For this reason, I personally like the idea of making this not-t00-involved calendar journal to keep a record of our lives.

The Calendar Journal Tutorial

Asley used the below to make her calendar:

stack of vintage postcards;
date stamp,
simple index cards,
a raspberry fruit box, and
a paper guillotine to cut the index cards to size.

That’s it, plus

a pen for writing.

I might turn this perpetual calendar/journal into a soulful XMAS gift for my hubby, using 100% recycled images & stuff, in a theme that will inspire him. We have so much art, graphic material and recyclable paper goods laying around, I’m sure it will be easy.

Journal versus Calendar

OK. So much for the journal idea. With January around the corner, I know that YOU may be in need of a calendar. A proper one. Well, to make this into a ‘normal’ day calendar is easy. Just add exact dates like January 4, 2012. Simple. It must definitely be a desk calendar as it’s too complicated and the fruit box too fragile to lug around.

That brings me to the next point …

PAPER OR DIGITAL ?

Digital Calendars

For a handi-dandy calendar to carry around at all times, I am so in love with & highly recommend my new iPod Touch(= iPhone without the cell phone), which comes with a calendar and loads of (free) applications to make your life very organized. And if you want more applications, just go to any wifi spot, or connect it to your computer and load your gadget with as many as you wish.

Every day I am using it, I am realizing that the $299 I paid for this was a bargain ( … ok. yes, click above link and see that Amazon sells it for $50 less than I paid in the Apple store..)

Anyhow, I already have downloaded tons of free (and legal!) eBooks, audio books, music, howto-reference material (like eBooks on advanced knitting stitches) and other practical tools ~ it’s incredible the value of it all, and I got all of it free!

If you don’t have one already, DO look into getting one, particularly if you live in the US. An iPod Touch or iPhone is the best deal for a frugal-minded-gal.

Quite a confession for someone who dislikes gadgets in general, and who prefers original and individual things. That’s why I can still relate if someone like you is …

Paper Calendars

* ….. still in love with paper calendars ? IF you are going to buy some sort of a paper solution, I’ve already recommended these calendars for 2012 as they are most suitable & fun for creative crafty types like us plus they teach us a thing or two of knitting, crochet, or other creative pursuits in life. For portability, choose a compact one that has all the pages glued together.

Great Deals, Great XMAS Gifts (upto 40% off)

Fine Craft Guild — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:25:05 +0000

I’ll resume regular ‘how-to make contemporary things’ – articles tomorrow, but today, I want to give you the heads-up on some too-good-to-miss deals.

I scoured around for the best XMAS gifts and ‘need now’ creative ideas, and here are my Top 5 for today. Cyber Monday on Amazon is actually all week and has already started. The deals you can get are amazing! Hard to stay focus on what you truly need, but I’ve done my best to help you.

Cyber Monday Deals Week started today, and all week long, new deals will be added every couple of hours. If today’s sales are anything to go by, expect your favorites to sell out within the first few minutes or at least within the first hour or so.

My 5 Top Lifestyle Deals

1. iPod w. SOUND SYSTEM

I just bought this LAST WEEK, and already swear by it. Get your music system at a discount today/this week to enjoy all Jingle Bell music and a year-round swinging life.

a. iPod Touch

Apple iPod touch 32 GB 4th Generation (White)

Did you know that you can use Skype on the iPod Touch and so use it like a phone at all Wi-Fi spots? You can use all internet-based apps too. Just get to your favorite local coffee shop to get the most out of your ‘music’ device/camera/organizer/personal planner/gadget-all-in-one. The iPod Touch offers a super-inexpensive way to enjoy all the features of an iPhone, except for full-time phone service. Buy it today for a better price than in the Apple Store.

b. Bose Sound System for your iPod/iPhone

Bose Sound Dock Series II Digital Music System for iPod (Black)

Believe me, I listened to ALL of them in several stores, and this one wins hands down. Yes, it is worth the difference in price, as it indeed is that much superior.

PORTABLE Bose Sound System & Dock

2. CLOTHS, e.g.. Sweaters & Knit Wear

I love the simple elegance & drape of this super-soft cardigan in 100% organic cotton . This and other knitwear has like 40% off. .. […MORE Sweaters & Knit Wear ]

3. CAMERA s.

Opt for this beauty: Fujifilm FinePix F505 16 MP CMOS Sensor and 15x Optical Zoom Digital Camera with 4 GB Class 10 SD Memory Card (Black). “ best-quality photographs of any small(-ish) point-and-shoot camera ever…. It’s almost impossible to take a bad photograph.” Click link to learn the features that makes this such a worthwhile camera. Now for $199 instead of 400 bucks! GREAT XMAS gift.

4. JEWELRY

I know: we all like to bead our own earrings, however you can’t beat the prices on these and not all jewelry are of the Make-Your-Own variety (unless you’re a trained jeweler).

This Jewelry is worth checking out with lightning deals with 40% discounts. New deals are added throughout each day, and sell out superfast. Don’t wait…

Rather than these hipsters, … how do you like these real diamond earrings…?! Classic beauty that matches all your funky wear. 1/4 CT Diamond Stud Earrings 14k White Gold (I1-I2 Clarity, G-H Color)

Get 60% off now. Perhaps a gift you’d like to give yourself or a friend?

5. ‘MOST WISHED FOR’

Get your XMAS gift shopping done early and consider these ‘most wished for’ books.

Here’s #1: Steve Jobs. Get this book now for about 50% off the list price. Even thought it just came out end October, it is already on ‘The Best Books of 2011’- list. It’s based on over 40 interviews with Steve himself conducted over 2 years, plus 100’s more with family, friends, and others.

Interesting read, no doubt about it.

Book Review: MicroCrafts Teaches Tiny Treasures

Fine Craft Guild — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:03:00 +0000

I It’s been a while since I’ve done a book review, but this one is interesting. It just came out last week: ‘Microcrafts’ by Margaret McGuire, Alicia Kachmar, Katie Hatz and Friends. It is published by a wonderful publisher, Quirk Books, who only seem to feature titles that I like, love or that at least intrigue me. Worth checking out.

Darling ideas in the book includes the concepts of ‘Tiny Treasures’ and ‘Make and Share’. Wonderfully illustrated concept pages inspire and are matched with simple Howto’s.

Learn How To Make Tiny Cupcake Charms

or

Decide on Book Jewelry…

The 25 miniature crafts are contributed by several talented designers, which adds variety to the types of projects in the book.

Who’s the Book For?

The crafts in this book will inspire a crafty household and the result will be lots of whimsy in every room.

However, don’t keep it all for yourself. Most projects would deliver delightful gifts (… oh how wonderful to be ready early this Christmas….)

Eco-Green Crafts, for Kids

One obvious benefit in making micro-CRAFTS is that it’s a great way to recycle and repurpose your scraps of fabric and other tiny things.

Furthermore, miniature craft projects make great doll accessories too.

The Verdict about the Book

It retails at $16.95 at Randomhouse.com. It’s worth buying at this price, but I have it here at Amazon for $8-10:

Buy Your Copy Today
Microcrafts: Tiny Treasures to Make and Share

(click link for more)

Tip: as it’s nicely illustrated, it makes for a fun coffee table book too.

Still not sure??!! In the next few weeks I’m going to feature one or more projects from this book, and you’ll get a better idea then!

DIY Bejeweled Bookmark

Fine Craft Guild — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:41:44 +0000

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Collect materials: string, or strip of leather, or yarn or jewerly wire coverd in fabric,….. ~ or equivalent.. + pretty beads + tools to attach beads.
2. String them together, creating a long beaded jewel for the book bottom end, and a tiny beaded end-jewel to be topping out of the closed book.
Done.

idea source: http://etcetorize.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-jewellery.html

Birthday Reminder Tag Board

Fine Craft Guild — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:28:51 +0000

Absolutely darling is this scrapbooking tag board by Jaime Lyn at Crafty Scrappy Happy to help her poor memory in celebrating the birthdays of those around her.

Best of all, she shares the how-to with us on how to make our own.

source: http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/2011/07/have-hard-time-remembering-birthdays.html

Butterfly Prints

Fine Craft Guild — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:47:00 +0000

Just added some great summer art prints to our Butterfly Crafts collection. This gorgeous vintage butterfly clip art originated from a 1880’s Natural History Butterfly print (four stages of butterfly transformation).

Butterfly Craft	Resources Collection
	How to Make a Simple Butterfly Mosaic (free tutorial)
Butterfly Soap (for inspiration)
	How to Make Your Own 3D BUTTERFLY ARTWORK (Free Tutorial)
How to Draw a Butterfly at an angle (free step-by-step instructions)
	Butterfly Square – Free Knitting Pattern
Butterfly Wing – Face Painting (free video tutorial of this beautiful design)
	Free Butterfly Clip Art (photos & Illustrations)

Fathersday Scrapbooking :: Dad Album :: Free Template

Fine Craft Guild — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Nope. You haven’t ran out of time yet to make something personal for fathers day this year. Here’s Rose coming to the Rescue.

Last year, one of the Fathers Day projects I (Rose) had in mind was to share a little DAD book with you. It took me until now to finally made one for you, complete with downloadable template to make this a fun & doable Fathersday project for kids.

Here it is. Like it?

(featured baby photo credit: Simona Balint)

To make your own lovely Fathers Day photo album, multi-layered greeting card aka fathers day poetry album, just use the free template and begin. Fill it with photos, add your favorite mementos and/or a fathers day poem. Or, add a stash of blank pages between each letter and transform this template into a handmade note book.

Whatever your final personalization steps will be with this Fathers Day craft template for kids and adults alike, it’s

Sure to make him happy &

Sure to be fun to make.

Our free downloadable DAD Book pattern is here (click the image)

How-to Use this Fathersday Craft Template

2 options: use it to make a 100% handmade version, or with some computer help, a digital version.

For a 100% handmade Fathersday Album:

Print the template.
Trace it over thin cardboard and cut it in three parts, along the horizontal lines.
Cut off the white space on the right side of the letters.
Now lay the strips on top of each other so it reads ‘Dad’.
To decorate the template, add recycled wrapping papers, stickers and photos, to both the front and the back of the pages.
After adding the background paper place all three cards over each other and punch 2-5 holes for binding.
Bind them with a ribbon in contrasting color, after you’ve added all your photos and things.

For digital scrapbooking craft project:

do the same using digital scrapbooking materials:
Make sure you make 2x the scrapbooking page layouts as the number of pages, i.e. 6, for the front and the back of each letter page.
You can use Photoshop and Illustrator to make your own backgrounds, embellishments and other details, or you can use ready-made digital scrapbooking sets with matching colors, buttons, etc., which will safe you quite a bit of time and which usually brings your creative results a few notches up, as professional scrapbooking designers are talented and spend quite a lot of time and attention to detail to make their sets.
When done designing your fathers day book, print the pages and assemble.

Finishing Touch for both Dad Album Versions

Sprinkle stardust and love over your book and sign it at the back with your name and the date.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

Other Fathers Day Crafts & Cards

http://www.finecraftguild.com/best-gift-for-fathers-day/

http://www.finecraftguild.com/fathers-day-cards-crafts/

http://www.finecraftguild.com/fathers-day-bookmarks/

4th of July Paper Craft GiveAway

Fine Craft Guild — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:51:00 +0000

I thought to share two great giveaways today for fun paper art & craft projects to help you celebrate 4th of July in the craftiest of manners. What better way to celebrate independence day with a vintage map of the USA and Lady Liberty holding up the American flag?

How-to Use these 4th of July Vintage Clipart Images

Here are some ideas:

Use them in your decoupage
Frame ‘m,
Cut them up and make a lamp
Make a 4th of July paper dress or paper flower with the map (print a couple)
Print them onto fabric and make bags, quilts, or 4th of July table cloths with them
Do any kind of scrapbooking
Cover your books with them
Miniaturize them into illustrations for your 4th of July picnic invite

The sky is the limit.

Free Large Vintage Map of the USA

… from an old geography book. Beautiful.

Free Large Vintage Illustration of Lady Liberty

Click the images to find their larger versions to you to use in your crafts. Please email us pictures of your craft projects in which you are using either of these vintage 4th of July illustrations.

And last but not least, thank you to the amazing Graphics Fairy for finding these for us! As well, she’s done her research for us and they are apparently in the public domain, i.e. copyright free for us to use as we like.

Other American Art & Craft Projects

Click image for free & easy American flag crochet pattern

How to Make An Art Journal

Fine Craft Guild — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:57:00 +0000

Today I want to feature a lovely series of videos on how to make an art journal.

Millande from Millande.com creates page after page layout in her journal,, using all kinds of art making techniques that range from painting to collage. But best of all, she shows us how to just do it, hum-ti-dum, on a daily basis, just create a page of art, on its own.

This video shows the development of a collage to create a background for a future portrait.

Art Journal Technique: How to make a collage art journal background

Art Journal Technique: How to Draw a Portrait, Soulfully

This video shows you how to create a self-portrait. Her techniques are fresh and non-traditional.

Art Journal Technique: Layered Painting

This painting video shows layering and spirals and the process of developing a painting with adding and subtracting. She teaches you how to do build-ups, composition, use up excess paint, use recyclables such as an old credit card to do a good background paint cover, and more such interesting tips.

Art Journaling, Materials Lists

Watermedia Set by Golden
Golden Heavy Body Artist Acrylics 4 oz
Golden Matte Medium
Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid
Fabriano Artistico Traditional White Watercolor Paper
India Ink

Prismacolor – Tin Box Set of 12, Premier Colors

These are just few samples of a whole slew of art journal videos. They show delightful art creation. Something to watch on a rainy (or snowy?) day.