it's springtime at small magazine

the newest issue of small magazine is out and filled with lots of goodies for the eye. i adored the little cape on page 3 of the article "return adress". go take a look and if you like what you see subscribe - it's free!

do you love buttons too?

i love buttons. i know a lot of you love buttons. all you fellow button lovers check this out:

button it up
80 amazing vintage button projects
by: susan beal (www.westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com)

yep, i so want this book because, of course, i love buttons. take a look at these bad boys:

find these buttons at my etsy favorites

do you have a passion for buttons too? what are your favorite kind of buttons - fabric, vintage, handmade? let me know how you express your love of buttons.

handmade nation - the documentary and book

handmade nation
the rise of diy, art, craft, and design
by: faythe levine and cortney heimerl

If you haven't already read the book handmade nation go out and get a copy. it's an inspiring, beautiful, collection of a group of amazing handmade artists.

faythe levine travelled to 15 cities and interviewed 80 individuals in 2006 to document the rise of diy, art, craft and design movement in the usa. in between 06' and 09' she released a sneak peak trailer that caused quite a lot of anticipation, wrote a book about her journey and made a documentary.

the documentary, also titled handmade nation, was just released and the screenings are touring around. if you are interested in seeing it please go here for screening times and locations. i know i am personally crossing my fingers that it makes it to more destinations than toronto in canada.

if you can't wait for the screening, here is the trailer for handmade nation:

i'm reading...

knitting for good!
a guide to creating, personal, social and political change, stitch by stitch

please check out betsy greer's site craftivism. if you have ever wondered about doing something more with your knit goods this book is the answer. Betsy believes that "everytime we knit, we have the opportunity to create positive change in ourselves, our community, and in the world". her website is full of a lot of wonderful ideas and links to some great organizations.

i love the idea behind this book and it does my heart good to see someone write about it. the book is filled with insights from other fellow knitters and crafters on how they use craft to benefit others. i am sure we have all sat at our stitch n' bitch meetings and pondered and conversed about what else we could be doing with our knitting and thankfully this book answers those questions.

the book is written in three parts:

part one - knitting for yourself

part two - knitting for your community

part three - knitting for the world

there is so much good we can all do with our passion for this wonderful craft and betsy's book gives us the guidance we need to start picking up those needles and knitting for loved ones we may not know we love yet. and you know we can all use a little love - especially some handmade love.

p.s. yep, there are patterns in the book too!!!

yarnbombing

a friend sent me a link to the wildest "yarn movement" i have ever seen. (thanks mel.) i love this and think every knitter out there should check out this blog:

yarnbombing - improving the urban landscape one stitch at a time

These two wonderfully creative ladies, Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain, hail from my old stomping grounds of Vancouver, British Columbia, and have written an upcoming book called Yarn Bombing - The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti.

Yarn Bombing
The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti
By Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain
(Available September 2009. For more information contact sales@arsenalpulp.com)

they also have an inspiring and humorous blog called yarnbombing that is all about knit graffiti. that's right. you read it right. knit graffiti. what the heck is that you ask? well, it's just like it sounds, graffiti that is knit...haha. i just can't say enough about this. it makes my heart swell. instead of eyeing your average spray painted graffiti, knit graffiti artists put up works of creative media all over their urban landscapes.

still not following? check out strathcozies - images of my knitting in and around the 'hood blog for a kick ass example of how she is plastering her east van neighbourhood with some cozy knits.

both of the above blogs offer a lot more explanation on the subject of knit graffiti and it's artists. i feel like a bit of a dork for not ever hearing about it, but then i have an excuse of being a stay at home mom, or so i tell myself it's an excuse..hahaha. so next time you are walking around your 'hood take a good look around, you just might see a decked out telephone pole on your street.

we love felt

i picked mack and i up a whole whack load of craft goodies on friday afternoon. we bundled up and went out in the rain to find some more craftable objects to prepare for all the cold, rainy weather ahead.

i decided to whip up mackenzie some great little felt blocks to play with hackysack style. i found a similar project in the book i am currently obsessing over - "the creative family" by amanda blake soule.

you simply cut 6 - 3" squares and sew them together in the shape of the block making sure to leave one seam open to stuff through. i used rice to stuff with so jer and mack could kick them around. i also cut out some cute shapes to embroider on before stuffing.

these little blocks are addictive and i plan on making a few more. mack has requested one with cute elephants on it and i would like to do one with some flowers. these were a quick and easy project with endless color and style possibilities - my fave kind of craft project!!!

waiting in the library line

i cannot wait to get my hands on this book.

funny thing is i have been thinking about when i am finally going to get my hands on it in the library reserve line and everytime i get that great little email from the library telling me i have a book, i hold my breath that it is this one. and wouldn't you know that now i keep seeing it everywhere and on everyone's blogs. i am jealous. i want my turn...waahhhhh.

i finally got it!

i have been waiting for ages and ages to get this book from the library! i am super excited. i am an avid reader of her blog (http://www.soulemama.typepad.com/) and have to admit that i am envious of her lifestyle and only dream of spending my days crafting and knitting with my kids and living life as simply as possible. her photography is gorgeous as well.

as soon as mackie goes to bed tonight i know what i am reading....how many more hours till bedtime???

inspired

i finally dragged the sewing machine out of the closet.

i worked my little butt off during mackenzie's naptime and bedtime to get my throw pillows done - finally! i thinked they turned out great! jer is a bit confused by the whole "decorative pillow" thing on the bed though, i find that too cute and very male.

thanks to the book "bend the rules sewing" by the fantastically creative amy karol, i managed to get so inspired by the possibility that i just may be able to sew some of the fantastic stuff she has on her blog and in the book. i can't wait to make some of the cute bags, purses and other great ideas she has in there. love it!