Jim Noonan, resident crafter at Scholastic Instructor Magazine, explains how to make Recycled Egg Carton Flowers in this video. In addition to egg cartons, you also need scissors, paint, brushes, paper clips and pipe cleaner. The flowers are made by cutting out cups from the egg carton and then cutting them to create petals. You can also find written step-by-step instructions here. Take a look:
Becky Stern and Risa Rose of Adafruit explain how to make an LED origami flower and frog in this instructional video. After all the folding you have to affix LED lights. One method explained is to use a clear, conductive plastic material called ITO. You can find step-by-step instructions here on Adafruit. Take a look:
Dutch designer Noortje de Keijzer knitted herself a boyfriend. She says her knitted boyfriend is always happy and can be cuddled, caressed and hugged. She says he is very flexible. You can give him glasses or a mustache if you like. He is basically just a knitted suit with pillows inside him, but he comes alive in this video. Take a look:
Jo-Ann has announced the launch of an exclusive line of Ohio State University fabric. Now you can make Ohio State owls, hats, wallets, socks and more. The fabrics includes three fleece prints and four cotton prints featuring iconic Ohio State images such as Brutus and the Block O. This brings the total number of Jo-Ann's collegiate fabric licenses to 53. You can find all the company's licensed fabrics here.
Susan Starcher, buyer of fleece, warm and licensed fabric for Jo-Ann, said in a statement, "We are thrilled to offer fans of The Ohio State University this exclusive-to-Jo-Ann line of fleece and cotton fabrics. Our customers love to show their school spirit, and no other retailer offers a more diverse selection of college and university fabrics than Jo-Ann."
April Fool's: Coursera Launches Underwater Basketweaving Course
Coursera has announced the launch of a new Underwater Basketweaving course on April Fools' Day. The course description says underwater basketweaving is believed to have been developed by the peoples of the Aquacamamata Peninsula around the year 325 BC.
Underwater basket weaving has survived to the present day on account of its great functional advantages over dry basket weaving. By working with saturated fibers in a submerged environment, we can reduce friction in the weave and create a basket of unparalleled integrity and aesthetic appeal. Underwater baskets, or "wet-weave" baskets, are highly prized in many modern cultures for their beauty, durability, and water-tightness.
Knitting Behind Bars: Hardened Criminals Learn to Love Knitting
Criminals have been taught to knit at by Lynn Zwerling and Sheila Rovelstad at Jessup Pre-Release Unit (JPRU) in Jessup, Maryland. The program is called Knitting Behind Bars. The idea is could calm the prisoners and give them a cope mechanism for when they re-enter society. The pair have taught over 100 prisoners how to knit so far. All the knit creations made by the prisoners are donated to charity. Take a look:
The Christian Science Monitor also has a story about the knitting prisoners which says the knitting is opening up their world.
The Taronga Zoo in Sydney explains how to make an origami T-Rex in this instructional video. The paper project resembles a crane about mid-way through. A second square of paper is required for the T-Rex's legs. Take a look:
Jo-Ann Hosts Sew Unique National Sewing Month Contest
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has announced Sew Unique, the Jo-Ann National Sewing Month Contest. The contest is being hosted by Christopher Straub from season 6 of Project Runway.
Nicole Long, manager of inspiration for Jo-Ann, says, "Sewing with nontraditional and utility fabrics, like ripstop, vinyl and duck cloth, is a trend we have seen in the world of fashion and among our customers. Nontraditional fabrics, especially ones like ripstop which comes in a variety of colors, are a fun and inexpensive way to add an interesting, unique touch to apparel, decor and accessories."
The contest carries a grand prize of $1,000. Entrants are limited to one submission per day for the duration of the contest period, September 1 through 30. To enter you have to sew a project from Jo-Ann utility fabrics, take a picture of the project and finally, share the photo on the contest tab on Joann's Facebook page. You can find the rules here.
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has announced the launch of its iPad app. The free app includes instructions for craft projects, videos with tips and techniques and inspirational photos. It also features weekly ads, catalogs and a store finder. There is also a Shopping List that makes it easy to keep track of what you need for your craft projects.
Ishknits Talks Yarn Bombing With American Hipster Presents
Ishknits, Philadelphia's Yarn Bomber explains how she got started in this episode from American Hipster Presents. Jessie Hemmons (ishknits) uses about six bright yarn colors. She uses the Ultimate Sweater Machine to make her yarn bombs. She first started yarn bombing at night, but now boldly goes out during the day to put up her yarn installations. In addition to her yarn bombs, Jessie is also getting commissioned work projects, such as this project for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Take a look:
TLC will launch Craft Wars, a new reality series hosted and executive produced by Tori Spelling, on June 26. The series will consist of ten episodes. Michaels stocks the "Michaels Craft Closet" for the show with everything the contestants need to get inspired and build their creations.
Each episode pits three new, everyday enthusiasts against each other in two rounds of difficult challenges, encompassing different genres of crafting expertise. The judges include Stephen Bronw, Erica Domesek and Jo Pearson.
Tori says, "As a lifelong crafter, I love how crafting gives you the opportunity to really express yourself and show your creativity. It's an amazing outlet and nothing shows love more than something homemade. I can't wait to share my passion and be inspired by all the amazing contestants."
Jo-Ann National Craft Month Photo Contest Winners Revealed
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has revealed the winners of its 2012 National Craft Month Photo Contest. Crafters were encouraged to submit photos through Jo-Ann's Facebook page of their favorite handcrafted items throughout the month of March. Over 1,000 entries were submitted.
The winner of the popular vote, cast by Jo-Ann Facebook fans, is Kim Butler of Newburyport, Mass. who submitted a river rock hand-painted to look like a bunny. She won a $250 Jo-Ann gift card.
The second grand prize winner, chosen by a panel of judges from Jo-Ann, is Allison Hoffman of Austin, Texas. Hoffman, who also earned a $250 Jo-Ann gift card, created an amigurumi Bob Ross doll. Amigurumi is a Japanese method of knitting or sewing stuffed animals. Hoffman's work can be found at craftyiscool.com.
Michelle Inciarrano and Katy Maslow, owners of Twig Terrariums, introduce the concept behind their tiny world terrariums in this short clips from The Daily. They have also written a how-to book about the process, called Tiny World Terrariums: A Step-by-Step Guide to Easily Contained Life. Some of the materials you need include a clear glass bowl, moss, rock, twigs and little plastic figures. Take a look:
Canadian artist Guy Laramee turn old books into landscapes. The transformation from old books into amazing landscapes, such as mountains, caves and valleys, is pretty amazing. CBS This Morning special correspondent Jeff Glor reports on the unique artwork. Take a look:
Deadline to Enter 2012 Scotch Off The Roll Tape Sculpture Contest is March 24
The deadline to enter the 2012 Scotch Off The Roll Tape Sculpture Contest is rapidly approaching. The entry deadline is March 24. You can find the rules here and the entry form here. The top prize is $5,000. Last year's winner created a life-sized sculpture of a brother and sister on a fishing trip. You can see all of this year's entryies so far here. Take a look:
