Meet Persis from Miles of Style

Q: Tell us a little about yourself

A: I always find it difficult to talk about myself.  I guess I can start off by saying that I'm a business graduate, working full time with my husband in his business. I'm also a qualified fashion designer and write a blog called Miles Of Style, where I share all that I admire in fashion, design and photography. It's a busy life but I love what I do and cherish every moment in life.

Bathroom Door Revamp

Bathroom Door Revamp!

Level: Beginner

Time: Expect 1-4 Hours

Topic: Housewares

This is our Bathroom door. This Bathroom is attached to our Kitchen. It's not very sound-proof....like, at all!  

So I thought I could maybe "sound-proof" it a bit, plus make it cuter...

Software for Crafters

Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and researcher for College Scholarships, where recently she’s been researching pediatric scholarships as well as the ever popular pell grant. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.
Alexis contacted me asking if she could share some great online tools for creative folks....oh, look - I have LOTS of those people! Hope you enjoy some "techy" information.
-Becky

Software for Crafters
Crafters are more the creative type then the tech-savvy type. But there are a number of great software programs that can offer inspiration for crafters, provide basic tutorials or patterns, help crafters create their own patterns and designs, or even help crafters better organize their business efforts, including expenses and sales. Here are a few of our favorites:
http://digitalfire.com/index.html - The Magic of Fire
"Slay the glaze dragon" with this software and formulate, adjust, and maintain the physical, mineralogical, and chemical properties of glazes and clay materials. The software will help you identify weaknesses in the glaze and make adjustments, or create your own glazes from scratch.

http://www.knittingsoftware.com/ - Knitting Software
Several software programs are available on this site, including the Sweater Wizard, Stitch and Motif
Maker, Sock Wizard, Swatch Wizard, Hat Wizard, Buttonhole Wizard, and Mitten Glove Wizard. The programs are designed for the hand knitter and guide you through specific projects.

http://www.tilecreator.com/ - Tile Creator
Create glass mosaic tile designs on your home computer with this software. Use it to create murals, wall coverings, mirror frames and stepping stones. Just import your image, choose your colors, set your parameters, and the software creates the pattern for you.

http://www.dfly.com/glasseye.html - Glass Eye 2000
This software promises to help you create designs for stained-glass windows that are "easier to view and edit than any pencil and paper drawing." Easily manipulate your drawing by resizing, realigning, and ensuring symmetry. You can also play with color and lead widths to make adjustments.

http://www.stitchcraft.com.au/ - Stitch Craft
Create Cross Stitch projects, tapestry, rugs or other grid-based needlework projects with this program. Use the easy photo conversion feature, choose from up to 1,000 thread colors, and pick from dozens of stitch types. Three different versions of the software is available, based on your needs.

http://www.quiltpro.com/ - Quilt Pro
Quilt Pro offers a number of programs for quilters, including the comprehensive Quilt Pro software,Strip-Piecing Wizard, Triangle Magic, Foundation Factory and specific pattern programs. The Quilt Pro software allows users to create quilts with eight different layout styles or to draw their own blocks. Users can also choose from over 2,500 blocks and preview piecing charts, templates and yardage information.

http://www.wildginger.com/ - Wild Ginger
Use this software to create your own professional patterns for fashion design. Choose from several different programs to suit your needs, and create your own designs, patterns, and prints.

http://www.plasticcanvassoftware.com/default.htm - The Plastic Canvas Design Studio
Import photos or your own designs and convert them into patterns for your plastic canvas projects. The software also includes tutorials for beginners who or those that need a refresher.

http://www.rexancrafts.com/ - Rexan's Craft Organizer
Can't remember where you put that pattern? Don't remember the next step to take in your current project? This program can help you organize all your files, patterns, instructions, photos, and more. You can also create contracts and receipts if you decide to sell your crafts.

http://www.peacepattern.info/designer-software/ - Friendship Bracelet Design Software
This free, downloadable knitting software offers patterns, tips, and tricks for designing your own friendship bracelets. Choose your colors, the number of threads, and the number of rows.

A Visit From Lemon Squeezy Home

Christie from Lemon Squeezy Home has joined us today to let us in on her creativity process. You definitely need to check out her Etsy shop, Lemon Squeezy Shop.....some serious cuteness going on! If you needed a lift of creativity today, Christie's the one to do....take it away....

Mosaic Artistry

The process for me to design and complete a mosaic can take anywhere from just a few days to several months, depending on the size of the piece and what else is going on in my life.  I also own a Cafe & Catering Co., so I am pretty busy several months out of the year. 

Giveaway Winner - Bookbinding Journal

Congrats to the winners of At Home with Handmade Books by Erin Zamrzla!

The winners this time are: 

Erin said...

Great question! Hm, I know my husband's grandmother likes to write notes and such. I think she would appreciate one! Thanks for the giveaway!

April 13, 2011 9:58 PM 

Stephanie said...

my son who is 4 and loves to draw and make art.

April 14, 2011 2:28 PM 

Erin & Stephanie, Please email becky@liberatecreativity.com with your mailing address and the books will be mailed from the publishing company.


Thanks to Random.org for choosing our 2 winners!

Kids Room Plaque

How Does She is visiting us today.....we should feel very special....SERIOUSLY! Thanks so much for doing a guest tutorial....it's SO super! Read on people, read on!

Come in...It's PLAY time!

Level: Intermediate

Time: Expect 1-4 Hours
Topic: Houseware & Kids

Adding to the kids bedroom decor!

We got together with a couple of my daughter's friends and made this. It was a super fun 'swap' and I will get a post up soon on 'swapping talents'. You'll soon be thinking of ideas to keep your kids busy this summer and only have to do 1/6th of the work:)

And The Winner Is.....

Congrats to Shanner who won our earring giveaway! 

Shanner was excited about the giveaway and said...

Feathered Earings would be light enough weight for me to dance in! Cool giveaway and great etsy shop. I loved the yellow and magenta bracelet as well as the copper dangle and hoop earings.

Thanks to Random.org for choosing our winner - and thanks to all the readers that entered!

I will contact the winner via email.

Don't forget to enter our other weekly giveaway here!

Bookbinding Journal Album

Talk about stoked....I couldn't wait to share this tutorial with you all! Elena from Natures Cubbyhole is an amazing artist who crafts the most phenomenal pieces. Not only is she talented, she's also UBER ultra great for giving us a tutorial on bookbinding! WOOT! Enjoy the read and hope you get inspired!

______________________________________________________________________________

Hi everyone! I’m Elena and you can find more of my creative innovations in my online shop at www.NaturesCubbyhole.com. Today I wanted to share with you a guide for crafting a unique softcover album for wallet-sized (2.5” x 3.5”) photos. I’ve always thought that these mini photos don’t get enough love for all of their convenience and portability. You’ll be able to fit 40 photos in the model below, but the page quantity can be lengthened or shortened however you see fit! I’ve used vegan and recycled/rescued materials in a vibrant Springtime color theme offset with soft yellow, but anything works with this design.

Level: Advanced

Time: Who Knows, but it will be a blast!

Topic: Bookbinding

 

In order to speed up crafting time,

At Home WIth Handmade Books - Review

I just received a copy of Erin Zamrzla's newest book At Home With Handmade Books (Released TODAY!!!!) I couldn't wait to throw it open it and be overcome with creative inspiration. I wasn't dissapointed!

The Breakdown
Zamrzla's book is filled with 190 pages of bookbinding projects. The Table of Contents is separated by the "type" of book binding techniques (i.e.: Accordian books, Flutter Books, Four-Hole Binding, Yamato Binding, etc.). Zamrzla goes further to give a brief history of the various bookbinding techniques. The lack of index at the end of the book goes unnoticed mainly because the Table of Contents does an excellent job of directing the reader. At the end of the book there is a Resources page, to help us locate the materials needed. I adore she included a photo and short bio at the back as I'm always intrigued what the author looks like. I'm not weird, come on, you wonder too, right?! Okay, maybe it's just me.

Project Details
28 unique projects fill this how-to book. Templates are included for the projects, so you can easily photocopy (or trace) the designs. Zanrzla does an excellent job of breaking down each project and goes into thorough explanation on the execution creating your very own. . Bookbinding can be a tricky technique to master, but reading through the book truly made me feel like these projects were all within my novice reach.

My Favs about this book
I appreciated the fact that all of the materials and tools needed are easy to find at any hardware or crafting store - I mean, who wants to have to locate (and buy!) an obscure tool that you'll use for one project, right?! Also, the Photography is beautiful. The entire book has a calm nature about it with photos that accentuate each project.

Big Gulp....Anything I would change about the book
Listen, I'm opinionated and generally have plenty to say about what I would change about this and that, but honestly, I wouldn't make any changes. What? Becky's speechless? Write this date down.

I certainly recommend this book to add to your crafting inspiration collection. Erin Zamrzla's book At Home with Handmade Books is available April 12th - TODAY!!!!

Okay, okay, I adore this book - let's do a GIVEAWAY! I will give 2 copies of this book away.

To enter giveaway:
Comment below answering the question: Who would be the recipient of your first bookbinding project?

**Get an extra entry if you Tweet this post (just put an extra comment that you did so please).

This giveaway will end Saturday, April 16th....gosh, TWO giveaways in one week??? I must be in a good mood! Enter the other one here.

Chalkboard Train Track Table

Level: Beginner

Time: 1-4 Hours

Topic: Paint, Repurpose

On Charley's 2nd birthday I was insistent that we get him a train table! For goodness sakes, he adored the one at our pediatrician's office, so of course he would love one at home, right?! WRONG! Charley has spent zero to little time with this train table - mainly because we bought a double-story track that had to be glued and screwed to the table to be able to stick together....that made him mad! He wanted to be able to change things around. So I had hope that Wilson would use it.....not yet, but he's only 1, so I continue to hold up hope! Instead of freecycling the whole thing, I came up with a great idea - MOMMY-ReDO!!!!!

Giveaway - Trendy Feather Earrings

The weather today is.......wait for it......SUNNY!!!!! WOOT! This has made me in the mood for a giveaway. A fun and funky artist Amy Corn has offered a cool set of great earrings for a lucky reader!

Visit AmyCorn's Etsy site or her Facebook site Here

To enter to win, just leave a comment below with your fav item she currently has listed for sale (make sure to include your email address).

Giveaway will end at midnight Wednesday, April 13th.

*If you Tweet this giveaway you'll get an extra entry, just tell me in a separate comment below.

Good luck!

Spring Banner

Hi, I'm Nicole from Our Cozy Nest and I'm excited to do a little guest post here today.   I decided to do a  Spring Pennant Garland Tutorial.  I was hoping that maybe if I hung this outside, mother nature would get the hint and stop sending snow here to Utah.

Level: Intermediate

Time: Expect 1-4 hours

Topic: Sewing, Household

My inspiration were these gorgeous Easter dishes from...

Fabric Coffee Cozy

How to make a fabric coffee cozy...

Instructions by: Rachael Lindsay

Level: Beginner

Time: Less than an hour

Topic: Sewing

These coffee cozies are so fun and unique. These are an absolute favorite in my Etsy store. There are so many types of fabric to use, and they can fit any personality....

Cake Pops and Baby Shower

This past weekend I was thrilled to travel to Annapolis to see my bestie Sage. Sage is expecting her first baby in June and we don't get to see one another as much as we'd both like. I had to bring a much larger suitcase than anyone staying a weekend would need, but of course I had to make her baby a cazillion presents! (More posts and photos later of the projects). At any rate, we threw her a baby shower on Sunday and made some fab cake pops! Cake pops are the big rage right now, due to Bakerella's incredible talent - if you haven't checked her out, you need to. Seriously
....GO NOW!

Wanted to share just a couple of photos. Bakerella has a wonderful site and discloses the recipes, tricks of the trade and all.