Crafty Manolo

Need something to help you carry your embroidery, cross stitch, needlepoint, tapestry, or patchwork quilting materials with you when you’re on the go? Take a look at this lovely quilted cotton organizer from Roberts Crafts.

The upper section features two see-through pockets and a space for larger equipment such as scissors, patterns, and fabrics. The lower section has six large zippered see-through pockets for things like thread, thimbles, needles, and so on.

Here’s a view of it closed. Oh, and that aqua color? Yeah, that’s the one it comes in. Apparently the red is not available.

The dimensions when closed are 9.5×9.5×7.2 inches. I don’t know how clearly you can see it in the illustration, but there’s a self handle on top for easy transport.

You could carry enough crafting materials to get you through a good long vacation or boring conference with that kind of space!

All that for only $62.00? Sign me up!

I grew up reading the adventures of Linus VanPelt and his friends in Peanuts. Actually, I lived in the same town Peanuts creator Charles Schulz lived in, visited his ice rink, and eventually grew up to sell him books at two different bookstores conveniently located close to said ice rink.

But that part is neither here nor there.

What is here and now and the whole point of this blog entry is Project Linus.

Some of you may have already heard of this wonderful organization, others not. But I urge you all to check out their website and get involved.

You see, Project Linus does just what one might expect: provide security blankets to children. The children range in age from infants to teens, and the reasons range from illness to disaster victims to homelessness and abuse. This is about helping children in crisis with something that tells them someone cares and wishes them well.

The project will only accept blankets made by hand from smoke-free environments and free of strongly scented detergents. They must also be free of easily swallowed (and thus choked upon) decorations such as buttons. But from there, it’s a free for all. Pick your size, your materials, your techniques, and do your best work.

If you are not in a position to make a blanket, the project will also happily accept donations of money and materials, too. And if you know a child in need, the website will direct you to the chapter to contact for help.

We all need a little security in life. Children facing chemotherapy or recovering from abuse need it even more.

Are you in the market for fabric for your next quilt, outfit, or home improvement project? Then you’d better head on over to Fabric.com and check out their latest sale. Right now you can get an extra 30% off all clearance fabrics with code: CLEAR612. Spend at least $35.00 (and who can’t spend that even in discounted clearance fabrics when making a quilt?) and you’ll get free shipping, too.

There are plenty of fabrics to choose from, both practical and whimsical. For instance, this cotton fabric based on Twitter is regularly $9.99 a yard at most sources. At Fabric.com it would usually sell for $8.48 a yard. Not bad. But now it’s on clearance for just $4.24 per yard… and then you can take a further 30% off of that! They’re practically paying you to take it away.

So if you’re looking to add to your fabric stash or need a couple yards to complete a project, go check out the sale. You’ll be glad you did.

(Magnet available from Zazzle)

Sometimes it’s fun to wander the web and see what goodies we can find to try out for free in the crafting world. Whether it’s a new craft entirely or a new technique in something we’ve done before, or just a fun variation, there’s always something fun and free out there. But don’t just take my word for it! Here are a few examples to whet your appetite for crafty goodness online.

Mosaic Patterns Online features a new free pattern each month. This month it’s your choice of this gorgeous butterfly or a really spiffy dragonfly. Oh, and if you download the free pattern, you can also get a discount on some of the supplies for making it a reality.

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(Image via Strawberry Jam Designs)

I kind of think that says it all.

As much as we love to craft on our own, there’s nothing like a good technique class to help broaden horizons, pick up new skills, and correct bad habits. Heck, just the chance to be in a roomful of people who enjoy using their hands to create things can be a breath of fresh air!

But sometimes you don’t know where to look to find a class. That’s why I sat down and found some courses where you can learn new techniques and hone old skills.

First up is the illustration above. It’s a quilt. The title is Big Sur in May, and it was created by quilt artist Judith Baker Montano. It’s pretty spiffy, isn’t it? In point of fact, I think it’s pretty breathtaking. Well, as it turns out, Ms. Montano is holding a workshop in quilting land and seascapes in May through the Madeline Island School of the Arts in Wisconson. The class is four days long and costs $620.00. See here for details on the class and how to sign up.

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In 1922, Farmer’s Wife Magazine polled their readers: “If you had a daughter of marriageable age, would you, in light of your own experience, have her marry a farmer?”

More than seven thousand readers responded with letters, discussing their lives candidly. Now the best of those responses have been compiled into a book, along with the quilt squares inspired by them.

The Farmer’s Wife Sampler Quilt offers you the chance to read the unvarnished thoughts of farm wives in 1922, and to create something beautiful inspired by their words. The templates are included on a CD-Rom.

But even if you don’t quilt, the stories are a compelling document of a world most of us can barely fathom today. And yet I see many small connections to the life I lead today. One woman talks of the fun and convenience of ordering dresses from catalogues. That’s not so different from the way I log onto my trusty computer to order goodies from Amazon and other e-retailers.

Speaking of Amazon, The Farmer’s Wife Sampler  Quilt is available from them for a mere $18.47. That’s 34% off the suggested retail price of $27.99! Oh, and it qualifies for Super Saving free shipping if your order totals at least $25.00.

I have to say, I can’t think of anything much cozier than reading some of these letters while curled up in the quilt made from the book.

There’s nothing like a warm, snuggly quilt to make you feel cosy at night. And a hand-made one warms you with the love stitched into it, too, right?

Well, sometimes no matter how much love went in, it’s still the stuff of nightmares.

Poor Thomas the Tank Engine! He’s got the dreaded green chicken pox! Who could get a good nights’ sleep under that?

You can goggle at Thomas the Pox-Ridden Tank Engine and a couple dozen other cautionary tales in quilting at About.Com Quilting in the Pictures of Ugly Quilts Gallery.

While some of the quilts merely represent a little wonky construction work or a slightly off color choice, there are others that might well induce seizures, like this one:

Each monstrous example has been lovingly (or not so) entered and described by its creator.

There’s a comments section where you can send love, pity, or suggestions for how to make prettier quilts to the creators of these deathless bed covers. So if you have any good advice for these quilters, go thou and tell it on that mountain!

Or, you know, just gawk at the scary.

Hancock fabrics is having a huge half off sale on fabrics right now through the 24th. Whether you’re looking for quilting fabric like the one shown above, something to make a new winter coat, or something slinky for an evening gown or boudoir pretty, this is the time to get the fabric.

Not crazy about what you see in that batch? Take a good look at the year end clearance event with prices up to 75% off. Or maybe the 40% off fashion fabric sale. Or the decorator fabrics sale with savings from 40% – 60%.

Whatever you’re planning to sew, Hancock Fabrics is a great place to look first right now. Hurry, before the best fabrics are gone!

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I love quilts. In fact, one of my most prized possessions is the lovely quilt a good friend made for me and Mr. Twistie as a wedding gift. It tells all about us, from our meeting at Renaissance Faire to Mr. Twistie’s songwriting to my lacemaking, and more. A couple years ago, she gave us a matching pillow with the Vulcan salute on it. Too cool for school.

The quilt pictured above looks more like the quilt my great-grandmother made. Classic, familiar, cosy. I love classic quilts.

But I also love the exciting things people are doing with the classic craft now to challenge and amuse us.

For instance, take a look at this fabulous quilt done by artist Amy Ahlstrom:

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