A few craft websites offering freebies:
Kind Over Matter - Free printable ideas to spread kind words and thoughts. It includes themed ideas for Christmas and Valentine's Day (among others).
Roxycraft - Free crochet, knit and craft patterns.
Free Amigurumi - Not currently being updated, but has a wide range of free patterns for the cuteness that is amigurumi.
K and J Dolls - free crochet patterns (found on the right-hand side).
By Hook, By Hand - free crochet patterns
Showing posts with label website. Show all posts
Showing posts with label website. Show all posts
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Novelty Birthday Cakes
I think I missed out on something growing up. I can only remember having a cat cake for my, possibly, third birthday. Most cakes were whatever took my mother's fancy. Once I was in high school, though, it was up to me to make my birthday cake; and I've made one pretty much every year, but I was blindsighted by the phrase 'mud cake'. So in the past year I seemd to have regressed to my nnearly novelty-less cake childhood and use any excuse to make novelty cakes. Last year I made a giant cupcake for my birthday; then a castle with an invading choco babies army for my grandmother's 79th birthday (how do I top that for her 80th this year?!); and now I've moved onto celebrating my dog's birthday just so I could make a dog cake.
I went with a new cake recipe too - pumpkin and choc chip. Being Australian, I have never put pumpkin into a cake, pie or tart; and can't but canned pumpkin. So I claimed to be more healthy and utilised the kent pumpkin that was asking to be eaten every time I opened the fridge.
The result:
A cake I can claim is healthy (it has a 'real' vegetable - pumpkin and a want to be vegetable - chocolate!)
A cake that is way too cute (but not as cute as my dog!)
It's really easy cake to mix up. The dog face pattern is simple; although it's up to you how much detail you put into it. I really enjoyed cooking, decorating and eating it!
Dog face pattern, Pumpkin cake recipe
 |
| The dog cake: with chocolate and plain icing, and licorice face. |
I went with a new cake recipe too - pumpkin and choc chip. Being Australian, I have never put pumpkin into a cake, pie or tart; and can't but canned pumpkin. So I claimed to be more healthy and utilised the kent pumpkin that was asking to be eaten every time I opened the fridge.
The result:
A cake I can claim is healthy (it has a 'real' vegetable - pumpkin and a want to be vegetable - chocolate!)
A cake that is way too cute (but not as cute as my dog!)
It's really easy cake to mix up. The dog face pattern is simple; although it's up to you how much detail you put into it. I really enjoyed cooking, decorating and eating it!
Dog face pattern, Pumpkin cake recipe
Friday, January 7, 2011
Crochet Banana
Mmm fruit is particularly delicious in summer.
I seemed to have lost the pattern for the above banana. It was a free pattern I found on the internet.
For inspiration, Crochet Pattern Central has a free banana pattern, as well as other food patterns.
Crochet Pattern Central banana design versus the above: about half of the banana is made with yellow yarn, and then make the other half with banana flesh colour (such as cream). Then make three triangles. Attach all together and stuff it before sealing off the middle.
Website: Crochet Pattern Central
This website is a treasure trove of free patterns. Have a look. Have a go!
I seemed to have lost the pattern for the above banana. It was a free pattern I found on the internet.
For inspiration, Crochet Pattern Central has a free banana pattern, as well as other food patterns.
Crochet Pattern Central banana design versus the above: about half of the banana is made with yellow yarn, and then make the other half with banana flesh colour (such as cream). Then make three triangles. Attach all together and stuff it before sealing off the middle.
Website: Crochet Pattern Central
This website is a treasure trove of free patterns. Have a look. Have a go!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Merry Christmas Eve!
Origami for the festive season!
These are all earrings, but can easily be turned into ornaments by adding ribbon/string to the metal loop rather than the earring finding. Or do not even include the loop and you have table decorations. Imagination is the key!
If you are new to origami it's a good idea to start with larger pieces of paper and make bigger things such as ornaments or table decorations, before attempting to cut up the origami paper and make them really small (as the pictures below depict origami as small as 85mm and as large as 3cm). When they get as small as the present it's handy to have a toothpick nearby.
Materials:
Origami paper - you an use any paper as long as it's cut to the right shape to begin with.
Wire - I buy it in spools from craft stores as it's cheaper than buying packets of findings.
Tools - round nose pliers, flat nose pliers and cutting pliers (they come cheaper as a pack from craft stores).
Clear acrylic spray or finish (I use decoupage finish) to seal and protect origami for longetivity.
Earring Findings - at your local craft or beading store
Beads - at your local craft or beading store
Angel
Design is from 'Origami Jewellery' by Ayako Brodek.
Christmas Tree
Inspired by the Pinecone earrings in 'Origami Jewellery' by Ayako Brodek: it's the first 3 steps. Using a square bead for the base, a seedbead for the star and thread covered in clear decoupage finish for the tinsel.
Present
The present is a cube made up of 6 modules (the exact same piece folded 6 times and then fitted together). The design is called sonobe. A free pattern can be found here.
The paper used is about 1 inch square (making the present just under 1 cm in width). The paper must be thin or you will not be able to tuck it in!
So no one can mistake it for a a plain box, wrap it up using thread!
Peace Crane
This is my all-time favourite origami - the crane. After WWII and the story of Sadako and the 1000 paper cranes, it's a symbol of peace. There are a few different designs, such as the flapping crane; but my favourite is the one that is usually featured on the back of origami paper packets. Here is a free pattern.
I need more!
Book: 'Origami Jewellery' by Ayako Brodek.
This book is magnificent! It covers all the basic things you need to know, such as materials, tools, techniques and how to choose the right paper; as well as providings you with a variety of designs to make and enjoy all year through. Everyone always loves receiving origami jewellery!
Website: Free Christmas origami patterns by Origami Resource Center
This site has some great, easy (as well as more advanced designs for the seasoned pro) origami designs for Christmas. I particularly love the candy cane that seriously takes just a minute to make after you've done it once!
These are all earrings, but can easily be turned into ornaments by adding ribbon/string to the metal loop rather than the earring finding. Or do not even include the loop and you have table decorations. Imagination is the key!
If you are new to origami it's a good idea to start with larger pieces of paper and make bigger things such as ornaments or table decorations, before attempting to cut up the origami paper and make them really small (as the pictures below depict origami as small as 85mm and as large as 3cm). When they get as small as the present it's handy to have a toothpick nearby.
Materials:
Origami paper - you an use any paper as long as it's cut to the right shape to begin with.
Wire - I buy it in spools from craft stores as it's cheaper than buying packets of findings.
Tools - round nose pliers, flat nose pliers and cutting pliers (they come cheaper as a pack from craft stores).
Clear acrylic spray or finish (I use decoupage finish) to seal and protect origami for longetivity.
Earring Findings - at your local craft or beading store
Beads - at your local craft or beading store
Angel
Design is from 'Origami Jewellery' by Ayako Brodek.
Christmas Tree
Inspired by the Pinecone earrings in 'Origami Jewellery' by Ayako Brodek: it's the first 3 steps. Using a square bead for the base, a seedbead for the star and thread covered in clear decoupage finish for the tinsel.
Present
The present is a cube made up of 6 modules (the exact same piece folded 6 times and then fitted together). The design is called sonobe. A free pattern can be found here.
The paper used is about 1 inch square (making the present just under 1 cm in width). The paper must be thin or you will not be able to tuck it in!
So no one can mistake it for a a plain box, wrap it up using thread!
Peace Crane
This is my all-time favourite origami - the crane. After WWII and the story of Sadako and the 1000 paper cranes, it's a symbol of peace. There are a few different designs, such as the flapping crane; but my favourite is the one that is usually featured on the back of origami paper packets. Here is a free pattern.
I need more!
Book: 'Origami Jewellery' by Ayako Brodek.
This book is magnificent! It covers all the basic things you need to know, such as materials, tools, techniques and how to choose the right paper; as well as providings you with a variety of designs to make and enjoy all year through. Everyone always loves receiving origami jewellery!
Website: Free Christmas origami patterns by Origami Resource Center
This site has some great, easy (as well as more advanced designs for the seasoned pro) origami designs for Christmas. I particularly love the candy cane that seriously takes just a minute to make after you've done it once!
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