Freebies!

I love finding free downloads online. In order to keep track of them, and also to let my readers know about what's available out there, I've set up this freebies post. I'm also putting a link to it in my sidebar.

Summer/Child Themed Gift Tags/Cards Printable Download from "A Little Hut"
Square Deal Pincushion Pattern by Heather Bailey
Julie Cuff Crochet Pattern by Robyn Chacuya from Blueprint Crochet Book
Creature Comforts Library Pockets, Lending Cards, and Mini-Note Cards
Tip Nut's Canning Jar Labels
A Tonna Free Patterns at Modern Sewing Patterns
Crocheted Armies (fingerless gloves) on Crochet Me
An Apron from Spool Sewing
Grocery Tote from Spool Sewing
City Park Bird Pattern for appliqué or stuffie- cuuuute! :o)
Free Patterns from All People Quilt (they're mixed in with for-pay patterns, too.)
All People Quilt Messenger Bag
All People Quilt Journal Covers
Package Templates- print out, cut, and fold for free packages!
Bohemian Quotes for Scrapbooking from ScrapNFonts via PaperCraft Mag

If you find that a download is no longer available or if the link is incorrect, please drop me an email so I can update the page.

A Rad, Recycled Magazine Holder

You wanna know what really sucks? Not having recycling in your neighborhood. Even so, I've always found a way to recycle, usually by driving my stuff to some recycling center in the town.

If anyone out there knows how to recycle in Mexico City, let me know, because I'm really unhappy about throwing away recyclable materials! I've even taken to hording jars, boxes, and various containers in my craft room, with the promise of making them into something useful. I have a few really cool ideas up my sleeve, at least one of them entirely original! But for now, I'll show you a decked-out version of something I found in an issue of ReadyMade Magazine.

It's a Corn Flakes box covered by scrapbook paper from my stash.

I just cut it down to size, reinforced the edges, and went crazy with the glue stick.

It says "pass the time." hahaha.

Pardon Me (I Didn't Knit That For You)

Drama! This awesome video was put forth by Mason-Dixon Knitting. Hmmm, interesting...

Reflection on Fashion of This Decade

These past five years, I haven't seen any pervasive style in fashion (off the runway, on the street) that defines this decade. In the early 2000's we had all the white, silver, and black vinyl, but that was really just late nineties spillover. Here's a list of videos that show what I'm talking about:

Millenial Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-w0-agVE8g&NR=1 - He Wasn't Man Enough For Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1zyaNcuyU4&NR=1 - It's Not Right But It's OK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av7m_Pgt1S8 - No Scrubs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4PFClnMkOU - What's It Gonna Be?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK0DjYE-GVA - If You Had My Love

You might be saying- 'Uh, hello, Cami? What about DIY!?' I'm thinking about it, but is it pervasive in popular culture, not just on the fringes where we revel?

I've noticed some little things like the really cool T-Shirts with necklaces or other intricate designs printed on them. Also big stores are carrying shirts with embroidery and reverse applique. But I don't think that T-shirts alone constitute the style of a decade.

Am I missing something? Open my eyes, please!

PS- Deliver us from all skinny jeans.

My New Set

Saturday morning I was preparing my breakfast and enjoying the stress-free feeling. I wanted to walk to the museum and take my camera with me. I put on my FIERCE Ani DiFranco T-Shirt, stating "Property of No One", *snap* and got ready to go. But... I didn't have the right necklace here. I wanted a rhinestone choker, but all of those are in the States. So, I pulled out some of my gorgeous quartz beads from Taxco, and snipped off some chain. A few minutes later, this is what I had.

Then I really wanted to round out the look with some big, hoop earrings. But... same situation. I wasn't as confident about this one. It'd been years since I really worked with wire. Since my BFF and I started a crafty business when we were teens. (God, we were so New Age- hand-wrapped crystals! How badass were we?) Anyway, I tried, and... I'm pleased to say, they aren't half bad!

This wire thing is opening doors for me. I've been thinking about it since.

What?

I was feelin' my kuumba. The song "Around the Way Girl" by LL Cool J kept going through my head.

I Am Not Afraid of Color

And Mexico City is exactly the right place to be!

thoughtful, intelligent blues with grey

I'm drooling, and not for the food.

The leaf-lime-beige-orangeyred-burntred combo is

luscious, and unexpected.

P I N W H E E L S !
joyful

Luchadores Masks... take your pick, each its own story.

Dramatic energy

...easygoing - slate, pink, green, and brown

More Good News!

Three of my favorite crafty icons were featured in the Sunday New York Times today! The article is about Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica, while Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching, and the CraftyPod were mentioned! How exciting. :o) Congrats, ladies!