Happy Holidays! Due to the impending rush of the Holidays, the shop is on vacation.* The blog, hopefully not so much.
*(Although, to be honest, another reason for the vacation is in the last two days we've had one shaky thing happen and one of our two cars was diagnosed with a "you should buy a new car instead of repairing this" issue, requiring us to sit down, basically take the car off the road except when it HAS to be taken out, and adapt to the idea of one car. If you can't tell, this has been on our minds for the last 48 hours. Also, by we, I mean, my guy and I.)
Anyway, do check out LibraryElfDesigns on Pinterest. I find this tool way helpful and a full post will come up soon as well as maybe a few more book reviews and some images (sort of?) of what I gave out this year for Christmas.
Despite everything, this Library Elf has things to be thankful for like purring kitties. Happy Holidays if I don't post again before the weekend!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Junk Mail Stars!
From Make It and Mend It (a personal favorite, London based blog...I think. I definitely know it isn't the US):
These gorgeous stars that are 70s inspired (I think, reminds me of 1970s stuff) but made out of JUNK MAIL. I love it. Now I just have to find a center gem without actually purchasing gems...hrm.
These gorgeous stars that are 70s inspired (I think, reminds me of 1970s stuff) but made out of JUNK MAIL. I love it. Now I just have to find a center gem without actually purchasing gems...hrm.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Star Wars - Library Crafts
I'm currently working my way through Darth Paper Strikes Back: An Origami Yoda Book which is the sequel to the very popular (and one of my personal favorites for boys) The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, both by Tom Angleberger. Well, working through my back log of subscriptions through my RSS Reader of Choice, I've stumbled upon two really great, really easy, affordable, library tie-ins.
First, Lego Star Wars Ornaments (via CraftZine).
Second, Star Wars Napkin Rings out of FELT (via Craftzine)! Everything looks better with googly eyes!
First, Lego Star Wars Ornaments (via CraftZine).
Second, Star Wars Napkin Rings out of FELT (via Craftzine)! Everything looks better with googly eyes!
Craft Activism - LibraryElfReads
Title: Craft Activism: People, Ideas, and Projects From the New Community of Handmade and How You Can Join In
By: Joan Tapper
Photography by: Gale Zucker
Publisher: Potter Craft
Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-307586629
Source: Library
Craft Activism is not exactly what I thought it would be. What I thought it would be includes: projects, some inspirational stories, and ways to use your craft to promote your personal causes, possibly politically. That's not exactly what it was.
Craft Activism is a collection of crafter profiles from around the country (USA) who have, in some way or another, challenged the craft scene and changed it. The five areas the book focuses on are: statement (more arty, 5 profiles), the past (3 profiles), a cause (1 profile), to recycle (3 profiles), and community (1 profile, and you'll never guess who). Based on those profiles of those people, is a collection of projects that you, yes, you, could do. Not every profile has a project, but sprinkled throughout the profiles are snippets of other people out there related to the causes.
Now, the last "crafter profile" book I checked out bored me. I had to return it to the library because, while I loved the first crafter who was profiled, it just wasn't an appealing book. This one was. I actually finished it. Everyone in this book is spunky, arty, and has something to inspire me some how. For example, the woman who knitted tons of sweaters with statements? Awesome. The project for her has a sweater/cardigan that features bikes. Very cool. Another I enjoyed reading about was the artist who made plastic mandalas with scotch tape! The skirt project doesn't seem feasible (I skipped reading the directions...that might explain it), but I'm very interested in that. Basically, it was stories like these that kept me interested and going, "Oh! What's next?"
Now my qualms. First, I hadn't realized how unbalanced the sections were until I wrote this up. I thought the community section could have benefited with another awesome crafter community aside from Ravelry. I know Ravelry's story. I lived it. I'd like to read about the awesome craft groups that I know are out there, or something else. Second, there's a good amount of projects in here, but if I had to say at a glance what craft the editor/compiler was partial to? Knitting. Too many knitting projects. One crochet project. One quilting project. Maybe I'm missing something though, but I think by now, knitting isn't the only thing on the scene. Also, I don't knit so the majority of the projects, while pretty, I can't exactly do (unless I convert it or finally break down and learn to knit). I crochet, I sew, and I experiment.
If you're looking for how to use your craft in your activism, you might be disappointed. If you're looking for how others did it or for some inspiration, this will probably fit the bill.
By: Joan Tapper
Photography by: Gale Zucker
Publisher: Potter Craft
Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-307586629
Source: Library
Craft Activism is not exactly what I thought it would be. What I thought it would be includes: projects, some inspirational stories, and ways to use your craft to promote your personal causes, possibly politically. That's not exactly what it was.
Craft Activism is a collection of crafter profiles from around the country (USA) who have, in some way or another, challenged the craft scene and changed it. The five areas the book focuses on are: statement (more arty, 5 profiles), the past (3 profiles), a cause (1 profile), to recycle (3 profiles), and community (1 profile, and you'll never guess who). Based on those profiles of those people, is a collection of projects that you, yes, you, could do. Not every profile has a project, but sprinkled throughout the profiles are snippets of other people out there related to the causes.
Now, the last "crafter profile" book I checked out bored me. I had to return it to the library because, while I loved the first crafter who was profiled, it just wasn't an appealing book. This one was. I actually finished it. Everyone in this book is spunky, arty, and has something to inspire me some how. For example, the woman who knitted tons of sweaters with statements? Awesome. The project for her has a sweater/cardigan that features bikes. Very cool. Another I enjoyed reading about was the artist who made plastic mandalas with scotch tape! The skirt project doesn't seem feasible (I skipped reading the directions...that might explain it), but I'm very interested in that. Basically, it was stories like these that kept me interested and going, "Oh! What's next?"
Now my qualms. First, I hadn't realized how unbalanced the sections were until I wrote this up. I thought the community section could have benefited with another awesome crafter community aside from Ravelry. I know Ravelry's story. I lived it. I'd like to read about the awesome craft groups that I know are out there, or something else. Second, there's a good amount of projects in here, but if I had to say at a glance what craft the editor/compiler was partial to? Knitting. Too many knitting projects. One crochet project. One quilting project. Maybe I'm missing something though, but I think by now, knitting isn't the only thing on the scene. Also, I don't knit so the majority of the projects, while pretty, I can't exactly do (unless I convert it or finally break down and learn to knit). I crochet, I sew, and I experiment.
If you're looking for how to use your craft in your activism, you might be disappointed. If you're looking for how others did it or for some inspiration, this will probably fit the bill.
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