A Retro-Inspired Soiree with Past & Present's Amy Azzarito

What better way to celebrate a love of decorative arts history and DIY than with a retro-inpired soiree? Amid the din of excited revelers and vintage recordings, we joined Amy Azzarito at West Elm to celebrate her new book, Past & Present: 24 Favorite Moments in Decorative Arts History and 24 Modern DIY Projects Inspired by Them.

With projects from the book sprinkled throughout the store, guests were encouraged to follow the map created by West Elm and visit them.

While Amy signed copies of her book beneath the gleaming Art Deco Mobile designed by CONFETTISYSTEM, Marketing Manager Ellie Levine and I started exploring. Doesn't the Gustavian Clock designed by Kate Pruitt make quite a statement?

Clockwise from top left: Art Deco Mobile by CONFETTISYSTEM, Wallflower Hangings by EmersonMade, Gustavian Clock by Kate Pruitt, and Grotto Jewelry Box by Erica Domesek

Some of the other projects were harder to spot. The Arts & Crafts Woodblock Lamp designed by Meg Mateo Ilasco looked so at home on the terrarium table that we walked by it a few times before we realized what it was!

Clockwise from top left: Arts & Crafts Woodblock Lamp by Meg Mateo Ilasco, Branch & Crystal Chandelier by The Wild Unknown, Tassel Blanket by Randi Brookman Harris, and Gothic Heraldry Pillowcase by Linea Carta

During our wandering, we also found some familiar faces, like Past & Present illustrator Julia Rothman, STC Craft Publishing Director Melanie Falick with Sun Young Park (illustrator of Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing, Alabama Stitch Book, and Knitting from the Center Out), and Grace Bonney from Design*Sponge.

And at one point or another, it seemed like everyone took a trip to the Smilebooth, ourselves included.

Congratulations to Amy on her lovely, albeit snowy, reception! See what some of these fantastic projects look like in your own homes by picking up a copy of Past & Present today.

Introducing: Past & Present!

It's been a big week for Design*Sponge managing editor Amy Azzarito. Her first book, Past & Present: 24 Favorite Moments in Decorative Arts History and 24 Modern DIY Projects Inspired by Them, has hit stores, and we couldn't be more excited!

Today is especially thrilling—Amy is on on Grace Bonney's After The Jump podcast this morning, and her book launch party kicks off tonight at West Elm Broadway! If you're in the New York area, make sure to stop by from 6-8 PM EST for food and cocktails, and to see 10 DIY craft projects from designers who contributed to the book, including Grace Bonney, Erica Domesek, and Confettisystem (RSVP on Facebook here).

We hope to see you there!

What Do(odle) You See?

Created by Dawn "The Doodle Queen" Sokol, Art Doodle Love is an interactive fill-in book full of prompts that will motivate you to discover yourself while developing your artistic skills. The pages provide fun, colorful backdrops that are sure to jumpstart your creativity.

Eager to put markers to paper, we picked a prompt from the book (shown above) and challenged some people around the office to let their creative juices flow, doodling what they saw within the splotches and drips. We were amazed by the different ways each person interpreted and altered the page.

For instance, as in real life, I'll try to make cake out of anything:

STC Craft Senior Editor Liana Allday's cute partygoers search for their missing friend:

Ellie Levine, our STC Craft Marketing Manager, channeled Palm Springs:

 

And Lindley Boegehold, our Director of Calendars and Licensing, took some inspiration from the farm:

And now it's your turn...what do you see in the splotches and drips? Click here to download the sample page we used and get creative! We'll be putting together a photo gallery of creations from Art Doodle Love, so be sure to take photos of this or any of your doodled pages from the book and upload them to Twitter or Instagram with the tag #artdoodlelove.

And if our "professional" doodles above aren't enough of a draw (pun intended), watch artist Mindy Lacefield doodle her way through the book in this amazing video:

 

We can't wait to see where your pen takes you!

A Day of Love and Friendship (and Crafts, of Course)

Kaffe Fassett: Dreaming in Color

It's that time of year again where seemingly everything is saturated in shades of red punctuated with hearts and flowers. While I do love the vibrant decor, I have to admit that Valentine's Day has never been particularly appealing to me in the traditional sense. Instead, I choose to celebrate the more inclusive Mexican iteration, El día del amor y la amistad ("the day of love and friendship"), a day where you show your affection for everyone you like best! Naturally, my version also involves crafting (bonus points if it takes place in a blanket fort, like this one courtesy of Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans).

Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans

Crafting with your friends is a great way to get together and catch up on each others' lives, as well as some projects that have been languishing in a basket. Whether you want to keep it easy like this quick and festive hat from Weekend Knitting...

 

Weekend Knitting

...or let your togetherness inspire you to take on something more challenging, like vintage dresses from Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing, nothing promotes closeness like creating something side-by-side.

Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing

So whatever you end up doing, we hope your day is filled with fun (and maybe a hand-crafted item or two). Happy Valentine's Day!

Get Inspired With Our Spring Book Galleries!

Past & Present by Amy Azzarito

Although it still feels like winter out there, we’re so excited to present photo galleries for our spring book list! Get ready to:

Learn new shaping techniques with Lynne Barr:

The Shape of Knitting by Lynne Barr

Flatter your body shape with Amy Herzog:

Knit to Flatter by Amy Herzog

Create a fresh, new quilt project with color wizard Kaffe Fassett:

Kaffe Fassett Quilts Shots and Stripes by Kaffe Fassett and Liza Prior Lucy

Get creative with pen and paper with Dawn Sokol:

Art Doodle Love by Dawn Sokol

Feed your inner history buff with decorative arts-inspired DIY from Amy Azzarito:

Past & Present by Amy Azzarito

And fire up a kiln with our first ceramics title from the inimitable Simon Leach:

Simon Leach's Pottery Handbook by Simon Leach with Bruce Dehnert

Click-through above to enjoy more inspiring photos, and make sure to keep an eye out for these titles, coming soon to bookstores near you!

Take a Craftcation!

 

Join STC Craft Publishing Director Melanie Falick at Craftcation 2013! Brimming with DIY and small business workshops, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions, the Craftcation: Indie Business and DIY Craft Conference is the perfect crafty respite to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit. Both seasoned business owners and newcomers to indie business alike are getting together in Ventura, CA from March 21-24 to hone their craft, food, and small business skills (and have a dance party!). So if you're planning to be in the area, or are just looking for an excuse to be, it's not too late to grab tickets.

And don't forget to stop by and say hello to Melanie at Knitting 101 or How to Get Your Craft Writing Published. We hope to see you there!

Melanie Falick on Creativebug

I would venture to say we’re not the only ones with creative resolutions for the new year. If learning a new skill is high on your list, then taking an online crafting class with our friends over at Creativebug will get you on your way! Joining the ranks of talented craft mavens (and STC alums) Natalie Chanin, Liesl Gibson, Kata Golda, Gretchen Hirsch, Kristin Nicholas, Heather Ross, Debbie Stoller, and Creativebug editorial director Kelly Wilkinson, our talented STC Craft Publishing Director Melanie Falick is offering tutorials for beaded leather wrap bracelets, yarn dyeing, and DIY knitting needles.

 

 

And for your daily dose of inspiration, be sure to check out how Melanie has made a career out of her love of making things and desire to help women tell their stories in this lovely video introduction.

Handmade Holidays: It's Party Time

Weekend Handmade by Kelly Wilkinson

As the end of December quickly approaches (where has the time gone?), it’s time to don your most glitzy ensembles and dust off your decadent nibble recipes in anticipation of upcoming holiday soirees. Whether you’re planning to dance the night away at a friend’s bash or host your own celebration of the season, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite DIY projects to get you ready to party well into the new year!

Sometimes, a stand-out accessory or sparkly embellishment are all you really need to make an outfit more festive. Donning some DIY headwear from The BUST DIY Guide to Life or embroidering a plain garment with this beautiful snowflake-like stitch pattern from Alabama Studio Sewing + Design will get you party-ready in no time.

Staying in with a few loved ones? Then think about amping your common threads with some handcrafted add-ons! Make a super-stylish Peter Pan collar (tutorial here) with Gertie’s help or a cozy necklace from Knitting From the Center Out (tutorial here) for a fun outfit boost no matter where you end up spending your holiday.

Even Liesl Gibson is making her own festive accessories! Check out her tassel necklace tutorial over at Creativebug.

And of course, you never want to arrive at anyone’s party empty-handed. For hostess gifts with heart, some scented sachets from More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts or personalized cutting board from AlternaCrafts are sure to get you invited back next year.

Handmade Holidays: Gift Guides

 

More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts

Nothing creates a holiday memory quite like a handmade gift. If you’re feeling inclined to express your sentiments by hand this year, here are a few fun ideas:

For your mom:

 

Treat your hardworking mom to a relaxing spa afternoon with pressed flower luminaria from Weekend Handmade and homemade sugar scrub from The BUST DIY Guide to Life.

For your stylish best friend:

 

A slouchy pom pom hat from My Grandmother’s Knitting and a swiss cross bag from Zakka Sewing compliment a friend-filled weekend outing.

For the little ones:

 

Knitted dinosaur? Enough said.  This fabric case from Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts for coloring on the go is an added bonus.

For your coworker:

 

Even a meeting-filled morning is made better with this personalized mug from The BUST DIY Guide to Life and these stamped notebooks from Printing by Hand.

And of course, don’t forget the pup!

Handknit Holidays

So, let the holiday gift crafting begin!

Handmade Holidays: All the Trimmings

The Repurposed Library by Lisa Occhipinti

Making handmade holiday decor is a fun way to get into the spirit of the season. My favorite holiday projects are inexpensive and can be completed during a weekend (preferably in between sips of hot cocoa), and paper crafts are just the ticket. Either used as ornaments, a tree topper, or made into a garland, paper crafts are a lovely and quick way to add a little something festive to your home.

 Images 1 & 3: Modern Paper Crafts by Margaret Van Sicklen; Image 2: The Repurposed Library by Lisa Occhipinti

I also love projects that evolve from leftover tidbits I have lying around. If, like us, you have a lot of fabric scraps in a basket somewhere, why not turn them into a few of these sweet little bird ornaments from Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts?

 Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

Although I tend to favor the immediate gratification of quick projects, some are just too beautiful to pass up for lack of time. This colorful tree skirt from Handknit Holidays can be used year after year, and would compliment a host of different decorating styles.

 Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick

Do you have any favorite crafty ways to spruce up your home for the holidays? Please share!

Handmade Holidays!

Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick

The holidays are always an exciting time of year, with the brisk post-Thanksgiving air inspiring us to begin decorating (and stocking up on peppermint treats) in anticipation of the upcoming December festivities. And what better way to prepare than by taking out a box of shiny baubles and crafting holiday odds and ends!

AlterKnits Felt by Leigh Radford

Handmade holiday crafts are arguably the best crafts—as an adult, how many opportunities do you have to dress up your belongings with glitter and excessive metallic finishes?

Weekend Handmade by Kelly Wilkinson

But most importantly, handmade holidays are also as much about the act of creating as the finished product. There's nothing more fun than spending an afternoon making garlands with friends, and there's no better feeling than knowing that a loved one is thinking of you each time they pull on their nubby hand-knit mittens.  

Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan

So to spread the handmade holiday love, over the course of the next month we will be sharing books and project ideas to get you in the spirit--from gift guides to décor projects, right down to ways to glitz up your favorite festive outfits!

In the meantime be sure to follow us on Twitter (#handmadeholiday) and Pinterest for regular doses of handmade holiday inspiration!

Tiny Felt Creatures: The Perfect DIY Stocking Stuffer

I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for tiny versions of things. Little cups, mini pies, small embellishments—you name it, I have to have it. Needless to say, the palm-sized felt animal kits from Last-Minute Fabric Gifts author Cynthia Treen are right up my alley. How sweet are these little guys?

I don't have a lot of experience hand-stitching, but these little creatures looked too tempting not to try. Everything you need to craft (save scissors) comes wrapped up in a neat little box, perfect for taking on the go or gifting to a crafty pal. All you have to do is put on a good movie, cut the pre-sized fabric inside, and sew the pieces together following the step-by-step instructions provided.

And voila! In one evening I was able to whip up the kangaroo above (complete with removable baby kangaroo, as if it all wasn’t cute enough). Perfect for beginner or advanced sewists, Cynthia's kits are comprised of locally-sourced and recycled materials, reducing the carbon footprint. With the holidays around the corner, you’re just a quick last-minute fabric project away from a perfect stocking stuffer!

SUMMARY    REFERENCES    OPTIONS

Make It Better: A Craftalong for Sandy Relief

Although all of us here at STC Craft are grateful to have survived last week's hurricane relatively unscathed, we know firsthand that many Sandy victims in New York City and surrounding areas are still living without electricity, heat, or even proper shelter.

Two New York-based craft bloggers—Brett Bara from Manhattan Craft Room and Natalie Soud from A Dose of the Delightful—also took notice and created Make It Better: A Craftalong for Sandy Relief. The goal? Rally crafters to make warm hats, scarves, blankets, mittens, socks, and sweaters to deliver to those who are desperately in need of warm items to get them through the next few weeks.

If you’re anything like us, you know that crafting feels especially rewarding when done for others, so get out your supplies and read on to learn how you can help.

MAKE IT. Simply knit, crochet, or sew a warm garment or blanket–-items most needed are hats, socks, gloves/mittens, scarves, sweaters, and blankets (take a look at our free projects Pinterest board for ideas). If you’d like, you should  also feel free to donate other new or gently-used warm garments. We are hearing reports that general clothing is no longer needed, so please restrict your donations to warm winter items only.

SEND IT. Send your finished item to: Natalie Soud, 310 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013. They want to start distributing warm goods within a week or less, so stitch something quick and send it off! Volunteers will deliver the items to various points in and around New York City.

CRAFTALONG. Share what you’ve made and help spread the word! Blog, Tweet, Facebook, Instagram, and Pin that you’re participating in the Sandy Craftalong as soon as you can so that we can get as many hands stitching as possible. Then, when you finish your project, share what you’ve made by posting it on your own blog and on their Facebook page. Also remember to use the tags  #makeitbetter and #sandycraftalong.

We hope you'll join in!

Wee Wonderfuls at Land of Nod

Though my days of toting around favorite playthings are behind me, an adorable, hand-crafted doll never fails to bring a smile to my face. And nothing tugs at the heartstrings of children (and adults) like the sweet, braided yarn hair-dos or floppy elephant ears of STC Craft author Hillary Lang’s Wee Wonderfuls dolls.

 

Now, with her exclusive line at online children's retailer The Land of Nod, even the least crafty among us can own one of her whimsical creations! Available on their website or from their winter catalog (dropping in homes this week), six different designs can be yours for the taking.

Of course, if making one by hand is more your cup of tea, make sure to pick up a copy of Wee Wonderfuls today.

Author Spotlight: Daniel Yuhas

Knitting designer, teacher, and fiber artist Daniel Yuhas' work is revolutionary—both literally and figuratively!—and the one-of-a-kind patterns featured in his new book Knitting From the Center Out are fast, addictive, and adaptable. Read on to see how Daniel got his start, and details on where you can meet him in person at the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY this weekend!

I got my start knitting when…
I learned to knit during my first fall break in college. I needed a project to keep me busy on the empty campus, so I checked a copy of America's Knitting Book out of the library and spent most of the week using the book's beautiful illustrations to walk myself through the steps...and the next thing I knew I was obsessed!

I’m inspired by…

The creative process. Sometimes we knitters talk about the difference between a "product knitter" and a "process knitter." I'm totally enthralled by the process of knitting, and exploring what happens inside our heads when we use our hands to make beautiful things. In my teaching and designing I strive to create an "a-ha" moment when everything comes together.

My favorite tools are…
Sticks and string! Knitting is an ancient and evolving art form that you can make in your lap, and the tools you need to do it are minimal.

When I’m not creating, you can find me…
Teaching knitting at yarn shops and fiber festivals, or taking long bike rides in the hills around Portland.

If I wasn't an artist, I would daydream about becoming…
An artist. I can't imagine not feeling driven to create.

Come stop by and say hello to Daniel, along with Norah Gaughan, author of Knitting Nature, Comfort Knitting & Crochet: Afghans and Comfort Knitting & Crochet: Babies & Toddlers, Bruce Weinstein author of Knits Men Want, and the STC Craft team at the NY State Sheep & Wool Festival this weekend in Rhinebeck, NY. Hope to see you there!

Free Project Friday: Heather Ross Prints

Anyone else find themselves drooling over the adorable personalized stationery suite from Heather Ross Prints featured in our fall galleries? Well you’re in luck! Add a little whimsy to your weekend by clicking here to download the free tutorial for making personalized stationery for yourself or a friend (and be sure to download the template and liner artwork here and here).

While we're on the topic of free crafty goodness, we're thrilled to announce that our friends over at the Purl Bee are hosting a giveaway for all five books on our fall list! The contest ends today, so make sure you don't miss out.

Have a happy, crafty weekend!

Handmade Halloween

Some of my very best memories from childhood involve frolicking around in the various Halloween costumes my mom sewed for my sister and me. From fuzzy animals (I'm the mouse on the right) to gauzy Disney princess numbers, she transformed us into whatever our little hearts desired each year. Now, as an adult, I still can’t bring myself to buy a pre-made Halloween costume, instead preferring to cobble together something unique and of the silly and last-minute variety (and yes, I still rope my mom into helping).

There are many ways to put together great Halloween attire on the fly without spending a lot of time on something you'll only wear once. And, as we here at STC Craft are suckers for any excuse to pull out the craft supplies, where better to start than with costumes inspired by our books?

Have you tried dressing up a found piece with fun hair and makeup? Learn to master the art of prohibition-era flapper finger waves or mod Twiggy eyeliner with The Bust DIY Guide to Life:

 

If you've already spent time creating the perfect handmade wardrobe, why don't you take something you already love wearing and put it to double use? This sultry sheath from Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing can go from a date night outfit to Mad Men-inspired trick-or-treating digs, and the leaf scarf from Sewing Green would make the perfect addition to your Mother Nature or Jolly Green Giant costume.

 

When all else fails, wear a hat! The right topper can transform an otherwise simple outfit, like this witch hat from Knitting From the Center Out, or bear hat from Oliver + S Little Things to Sew (you can customize the ear shape for different critters!):

 

It's amazing what a difference a few handmade add-ons can make (just look at these creative costumes made from STC Craft author Liesl Gibson’s Oliver + S patterns!), but if you still need some inspiration, make sure to stop by and check out our Halloween pinboard. Let the treats roll in!

Our Newest e-Books

It’s officially fall—have you started to think about toasty knitting projects for the cooler days to come? Well now you can whip out your e-reader or smartphone and start stitching even more of your favorite patterns from STC Craft!

Open Road Integrated Media, in partnership with STC Craft, has released e-editions of six of our most-beloved knitting titles—Knit 2 Together, Knits Men Want, Knitted Socks East and West, Knitting 24/7, Knitting for Baby, and Viva Poncho—for a total of 14 titles in our e-knitting collection. Spanning a wide spectrum of skill levels, these releases are perfectly timed to coincide with the impending sweater weather.

As a lovely bonus treat, scroll through the inspiring videos above to watch STC Craft authors Melanie Falick, Kristin Nicholas, Bruce Weinstein, Joelle Hoverson, and Andrea Berman Price share their thoughts on expressing love through hand-knitted gifts and how nothing compares to making it yourself.

Download and start knitting for the ones you love today!

I Spy: Kaffe Fassett Edition

Somehow, September has nearly passed us by, and school-aged future crafters are already back into the swing of things—cutting up construction paper, cramming for tests, and skinning knees on the playground. Think you know which of the studious little tots above grew up to be our very own Kaffe Fassett, quilter/knitter/artist extraordinaire? Take a guess! We'll post the answer on Monday.

Update: There he is, fourth from the left in the middle row!

If you're stumped, why not come on out to one of his cross-country tour dates to compare? Starting this Friday, he’ll be kicking off his North American tour at Bentley University in Waltham, MA.

If you can’t make it out to see him for yourself, you can still feast your eyes on some inspiring photos spanning his celebrated career in Kaffe Fassett: Dreaming in Color, available now.

Happy National Sewing Month!

This September marks the 30th anniversary of National Sewing Month! Even though we’re at the tail end of things, that’s no reason not to join in the celebration. Whether you’ve been meaning to learn or have made stitching a part of your daily life, we have just the books to get you on your way!

If you want to learn the essentials:

 

If you prefer sewing sans machine:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're ready for a wardrobe update:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you love quilting with style:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to sew for the little ones:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more book suggestions and a double dose of project inspiration, head on over to our Pinterest boards to get your creative juices flowing!