You know all those envelopes that come with your credit card bill? i never use mine since I make my payments online. I always feel a little bad about throwing away a perfectly good envelope, so I decided to reuse them. Basically, I turned them inside out and added a little color. Now they are good to go. Want to know how? An abridged tutorial follows, and excruciating detail is available in my Flickr Set. click any of the photos for a larger version….

here’s what you need:

– Envelopes
– Glue Stick
– scissors
– Decorative paper
– Avery-type blank address labels or something similar.
– Freebie mailing labels (optional)
– Double-sided tape and regular transparent tape (optional – you need both or neither of these).

Before you start, cut the decorative papers to a size that is about 1/4 inch larger than the window in the envelope.

Gently peel open the envelope at the seams, and coax it with scissors if necessary. I have been really lucky and had no problem with this part.

Flip the envelope over so you are looking at the white side. Next, you need to block the little cello window. Place glue around the window being careful not to get anything on the window.

Place the decorative paper fancy side down on the glue.

Fold up the bottom of the envelope, and add glue to the side edge. now you can reconstruct the seam that you ripped open earlier. repeat on the other edge of the envelope.

Now you might start fretting about the fact that the glue is on the outside of your envelope.

I would recommend not worrying about it and just tucking the flap in after you moisten the glue. If you don’t like this idea, here is where you need 2 kinds of tape. Cover the original envelope glue on the outside with a piece of transparent tape (you don’t want it to get damp and stick to everything in the mailbox!). Then on the inside of the flap where you would expect the glue to be, place a strip of double sided tape. Don’t peel off the protective paper until you are ready to seal the envelope.

As an alternative to decorative paper, you can also use out-of-season freebie address labels to cover up the window.

This will be white when you flip the envelope over. As far as I can tell*, you could probably just use a sharpie and write on the cello window to address the envelope, and you’re done.

If you used decorative paper, you will need to add a white address label to make a position to write the destination address. Can you imagine how the USPS machines would freak out if you wrote the address on the security pattern?

That’s it! If you try it, i would love to see how your envelopes turn out!

* As far as I can tell, the only USPS requirement for the placement of the destination address is that it should be parallel to the long edge of the envelope.

In fact, i started a Flickr group. So if you are out in the wild and see some wallpaper, take a picture and send it my way…

My recent Damask discoveries don’t end with wallpaper. A bit of browsing at Reprodepot has revealed the most fantastic modern Damask ever – Echino Woodland

Click through and check it out…. Hidden in the patter are skulls, bugs, and woodland animals. it is amazing. Too bad it costs an arm and a leg (also available at Superbuzzy).

I also found one more Animal damask – this one featuring only rabbits.

I would love to have these on my walls!

I have never really had much interest in stamps. Then I realized that they are an excellent vehicle for the proliferation of moustaches, and I started thinking about them a little more. I think they are also very well suited for creating my etsy packaging. i can just use a stamp to customize any re-purposed envelope or turn any scrap of paper into a tag. It’s cheaper and more flexible than color printing, and you are only limited by the colors of your stamp pads.

I haven’t liked most of the stamps I have seen in the store, which kind of turned me off to them all together, but then I started seeing hand carved stamps popping up here and there…

Inspired mainly by the uncontrollable cuteness of the hand carved stamps over at Mushroom Meadows (specifically this post) and at Little Thing, and by Jezze’s awesome lino prints I decided I had to try and make one of my own. I snagged some lino carving tools and a mini cutting mat at Daiso the first time I was there, and I picked up some Soft Kut from the Art store on my corner.

I had so much fun and it turned out so well that I have been making one stamp each night before bed. And each night I declare that the one I just made is the cutest thing I have ever seen, and is my new favorite.

Tonight I just finished a piece of Bamboo, which completes my “Fiber Content” set. I wanted something to represent a sheep (wool) a soybean (soysilk) and bamboo for labeling my roving.

I think it is going to work!

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There are a few more pics in my Flickr set. References follow:

Two tutorials that I found by searching on the Craft: blog – Mindful Craftiness and Alma Stoller

Plenty of supplies can be found at Dick Blick if you have one nearby. Many people also use little erasers instead of hunting for carving medium. I got mine from Artist and Craftsman’s Supply since I can walk to it. If you want to order online, Stampeaz looks like they have everything.

Online Fabric sellers

• Superbuzzy: One of the biggest selections of japanese import fabrics that I find nearly irresistible.

  

• Reprodepot You can find a smattering of japanese import fabrics here, but also many vintage reproduction fabrics (hence the name). i am also a bg fan of their numerous apron patterns.
• J. Caroline Creative This is an awesome one-stop online fabric shop. They have my favorite fabric designers (Alexander Henry, Michael Miller, Kaufman) and a fantastic selection of canvas, duck cloth and corduroy. The notions that have are super-useful too – magnetic snaps, ribbons, and purse handles to name a few.

So what should we talk about today? Let’s start with Magazines

Getting a magazine subscription for your crafty friend or loved one is a way to keep them inspired all year long. They are also a good solution for last-minute shoppers since you can give gift subscriptions online.

• Craft: Magazine ($34.95 – 4 issues/year) Innovative craft ideas with complete instructions. Everything from knitting patterns, to sewing electronics into your wardrobe. At first glance this publication looks a little pricey, the final object is very nice. Like its sister (brother?) publication, Make: Magazine, the format it more like a softcover book and you can imagine referring back to these for years to come.
• Adorn More similar to a fashion mag (in a good way) than any other crafty publication that I can think of, Adorn epitomizes classy yet accessible craftiness. i like it!
• Martha Stewart Living ($24 – 12 issues) I am not a self-proclaimed Martha Fan. I mean, I like her stuff enough, and I like that she seems like she has overly high standards and is kinda mean… And she is like the craftiest ex-con ever… But I wouldn’t call myself a fan. I don’t get this magazine, but every time I read one, I found something in it I really like. I guess that makes me a closeted Martha fan.
• ReadyMade($18 – 6 issues)
  I am always impressed in the number of crafty projects in Readymade that I feel I could actually put to use in my apartment. And they always have an article on some craftsperson that I am completely intrigued by. Plus, they are practically my neighbors so it is like supporting the locals when i pick up a copy.

Zines
Independently published pamphlet-like magazines are also a great read!

• Craphound ($10) People. just go buy one of these now – I’ll wait. This Zine is a big fat pack ‘o fun. I think it would be an understatement to call it clip-art so instead I will say that it is a collection of illustrations and images on various themes. Issue #6 is the most recent and is titled “Deaths, Telephones and Scissors”. These are a pure joy to look at and use as a crafting reference. If you are the least bit intrigued just go buy one NOW – The back issues sell on ebay for a mint.
  
• Croq Zine ($15 – 4 issues) Still crafting strong and headed for their 11th issue, this zine has never let me down. There are always a couple of article or projects that I enjoy reading about. These guys and gals have their act together and you can purchase a pack of back issues, as well as a 1 year subscription.
• Church of Craft Zine ($3- 5 back issues)– Sister Diane of the Portland Church of Craft has made available back issues of zine she produced. Take a look around her etsy shop, because she has several other crafty zine offerings.
• MixTape($6/issue +hella$$ for international shipping) Wassup Melbourne?? has anyone else noticed that Melbourne is like the Portland of Australia – totally busting with craftiness. I visited there last year at about this time, but somehow managed to not investigate the craft scene. This zine shows me that I missed a lot…

That’s all the magazine ideas I have. But i have many more crafty guide ideas so stay tuned for a few more posts!
See all of my 2007 Craft gift guide posts

Hooray! I am very excited about it. It has allowed me to fulfill a long-time (and now outdated) goal of owning a manual credit card processor. I like to call them ka-chunkers. I will probably be the only person there more excited about accepting credit cards instead of cash.

I am hopeful that I will get to meet a lot of crafters and possible SF-area blog readers. I bought a little book, and hope to have my readers/online friends sign it (idea totally stolen from jekbot – she was doing this at Felt Club). To entice you to introduce yourself, I am willing to bribe my readers with special moustache buttons… All you have to do is introduce yourself Also, if you want anything, i can bring it there for pick-up.

And as if selling stuff isn’t enough, I will doing a demo on Weavettes from 4:30-5. You can stop by and see why I think these little looms are so fun.

I have some new items that are pretty darn cute. If you don’t have the dough for them, you can now convince your paypal-saavy loved ones to buy you a gift certificate.

More alphabet stitch markers for knitting along with cat bordhi’s books. This set is for those that knit two socks at once!

And for the ‘stache lovers I have the only ‘stache for the holidays – Santa. Get the big man’s moustache on buttons, cards, or gift tags

I also have a batch of pocket mirrors with gocco printed storage bags. I am kinda hoarding these for the Bazaar, so if you want one, you might have to ask

Happy shopping! And more importantly, please say ‘Hi’ if you see me at the Bazaar. I promise I won’t make you buy anything.

Thanks for stopping by NY Times readers

I made a long sleeve red dress to use as the base of the costume. I used felt and embroidery to create her organs.

I knit a long I-cord for intestines, and created a pocket behind her stomach for gut storage. thanks for the yarn, b!)

Her tiny heart attaches to her chest with a rare earth magnet, and can also be attached to a magnet on her hand.

Her brainy hat is made from pieces of curled up pink t-shirt material sewn to a skull cap that I made.

The overall effect is super-creepy. Let’s face it, Blythe dolls are inherently a little creepy, so for Halloween, you just have to go for it.

Check out my Flickr set to see photos from the SF Blythe Halloween meet.

Secret Knitting Project
I have a secret knitting project that I just finished. Technically the cat is out of the bag with this one, but I haven’t told you about it here so it is still kinda secret. Details will follow shortly

Undies
yes, I am telling you about my underwear. This weekend I found some underwear at the gap that has a fair isle print on it. Not-knitted knit underwear. Hooray!

Gocco Mania
I finally had a chance to break in my Gocco, and do some printing for a new product tthat will hit my shop soon. i have a lot to learn and I think starting with the fabric paint was a little ambitious. I am happy with the results.

Anyone knitting any exciting Halloween Costumes?

If you have made any other amigurumi, you should be able to make this. I assume that you know how to increase, decrease, and start using a magic ring.
To make your own monster finger filled with chapstick you will need:

• Crochet hook – Size F
• Worsted weight yarn in three colors. I used Cascade 220 wool for the brown and green, and Caron Acrylic for the red.
• button (optional)
• key ring (optional)

This pattern has 3 parts. The fingernail, the finger, and the bloody severed top portion. I’ll give you the pattern for the fingernail first. If you are clever, you can make it first, and have it ready to sew on as soon as the finger is long enough. I always forget to do this.

Fingernail
The fingernail is worked in brown yarn, and is worked flat.

R1: Chain 5
R2 and R3: Sc into second from the end, Sc 3 more.
R4: Decrease twice. Pull end through.

Finger
Work 5 sc using the magic loop method.
R1: *sc 1, inc1 * repeat once. sc1 (7 sts)
R2: *sc2, inc1* repeat 3 times. sc 1 (10 sts)
R3-14: sc all the way around.

This is a big enough circumference for my standard sized chapsticks. After you are done with the increases, you might want to check to see if yours will fit. If not, sneak in another increase on the next row. Continue in the green color until you are just below the top of the chapstick. For me this was row 14. Change to the red yarn.

Severed top
There will be four loops that make up the severed finger top: one large one to wrap around the button, and three decorative – one of which can be used to attach a keyring.
R15: Sc in red
R16: chain 8, sc into base of chain to create loop (you just made the button loop). *Sc1, chain 3, skip1, sc * repeat 3 times (you just made the 3 decorative loops).

If you haven’t already done so, sew on the fingernail. Make sure to place the fingernail towards the “front” of the finger, which is the side opposite the large loop. I just whip-stitched along the edge with the chapstick in the finger so that I didn’t accidentally sew everything closed.

Use the brown yarn to add a knuckle. You can also use green to make some warts (french knots).

Attach the button to the front of the finger, at the top opposite the largest loop. Thread a keychain loop in one of the decorative loops if you wish. (detail photo of top loops)

Now you are ready to creep people out.

I expect that there may be errors in my pattern, so check back for updates (and let me know if my pattern doesn’t make sense!).

Pattern modifications

• Make a long grey fingernail to make it a witches’ finger!
• The fit of the finger is very snug. you might not even want a closure at the top. I think I like it best without one
• Some of the fingers in the pictures are constructed a little differently. Instead of a button closure, I threaded a crocheted chain through the loops to make a drawstring closure. you might prefer this if you aren’t going to attach the finger to a keychain. Plus it makes more creepy, bloody strings to dangle out of the finger.
• I have been addicted to softlips since high school. It is a more narrow chapstick than the standard size, I found that 7 stitches around was enough.