Category: Stained Glass

Looking for stained glass classes

One reader writes she's interested in finding a class in stained glass. If you happen to know of one, please email the information to me at jbrown@detnews.com. Thanks!

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Category: Giveaways

Win a copy of 'Cloth Dolls for Textile Artists'

Textile artists who've entertained the idea of dollmaking will be delighted with the possibilities for creating textures with scraps of fabric, yarn, ribbon and handstitching as featured in "Cloth Dolls for Textile Artists (Interweave/$28.95).

"This book contains full step-by-step instructions and patterns to make three types of dolls -- the simple stump doll, the tall and spindly wired doll,and the traditional stuffed cloth doll," reads the front, inside cover of the book's jacket.

As someone who spent years creating cloth dolls almost daily, I must say, I wish I'd been aware of many of the techniques featured in this delightful book of inspiration. I would have taken some of my work in an entirely different direction -- probably a more whimsical approach.

If you're a textile artist with an interesting story to share and you'd like a chance at winning my copy of the book (believe me, this one is hard to give away), just email me at jbrown@detnews.com. Please put the words "cloth dolls" in the subject line, and REMEMBER to include your name and address.

Good Luck!!!

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Category: Yarn Works

Visit Miles and Miles of Yarn website

Miles and Miles of Yarn in Wyandotte now has its website up. You can learn about all their upcoming events, schedule of classes, and more on the site.

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Category: Recycling

This giveaway will have you recycling old T-shirts

The coolest and hippest book on recycling old T-shirts just came across my desk! "Generation T / Beyond Fashion / 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt" (Workman Publishing/$15.95), is packed with clever ideas that may even inspire noncrafters to redesign or repurpose old T-shirts.

The book's author, Megan Nicolay, "an obsessive DIY-er since the age of 9, when she won an Earth Day T-shirt design contest," has put together a very unique collection of projects, the kind of things most could never even imagine. For instance the mohawk mo' rock hat, a lace-up steering wheel cover, a wrap shirt, a macreme belt, a woven door mat, an apron, stuffed alphabet letters, an oversized fist with pointing finger, a pet pillow bed, a braided necklace, garter, wine cozy and so much more.

If you'd like a chance to win one of the two copies I have, just e-mail me at jbrown@detnews.com and tell me a little about that collection of T-shirts you'd like to recycle. Please put the word T-SHIRT in the subject line and make sure to include your name and address.

Good luck!

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Category: Handmade column

Crochet a fancy Madrid Shawl designed by Sandra VanBurkleo

If you crochet, be sure to check out today's Handmade column, featuring Grosse Pointe Park resident Sandra VanBurkleo and her colorful Madrid Shawl with pattern.

VanBurkleo is the owner of Artisan Knitworks, located on E. Jefferson in Grosse Pointe Park.

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Category: Other

Lots of crafty information awaits you on L'Tanya Durante's blog!

I just had loads of fun perusing L'Tanya Durante's blog called Craftnicity. I think it's one many of you will enjoy as well, and be inspired to try your hand at a brand new craft.

Her blog is packed with exciting information on things like African folklore embroidery, free form knitting and crocheting, links to online craft stores, tutorials, interviews with nationally known crafters, giveaways and tips for writing your own craft book. She even invites readers to be a guest writer on the blog.

She once told me, the idea behind her blog is "embracing culture" through crafts. What a WONDERFUL IDEA! It can help shed new light on old craft projects.

Treat yourself....read Craftnicity and be inspired!

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Category: Paper crafting

Here's your chance to win a copy of 'Paperie For Inspired Living' book

If you're that person among your group of friends who loves to create beautifully hand-crafted invitations and paper decorations, then you shouldn't cut, glue or fold another piece of paper without a copy of "Paperie For Inspired Living, Stationery and Decorations for Weddings, Parties, and Other Special Occasions" (Potter Craft/$24.95).

Make your party special with this wonderful collection of inspiring ideas put together by expert paper crafter Karen Bartolomei. Within the pages of the book, you'll discover ways to make paper projects that may even have guests wanting you to design something for one of their upcoming events.

Projects featured in the book include a guest sign-in map, a circle menu, a surprise-party face mask (that can double as a hand fan), a scrap-paper and tinsel ornament, a party hat menu, a wish tree sign-in, a pinwheel-fold invitation, an inspiration board, note cards, business cards, and so much more.

"Easily assembled and designed with just paper, a computer, a printer, and simple embellishments available at any craft store, these unique personal touches will turn your plain old party into an affair to remember," reads the book's back cover.

If this type of paper crafting interest you, then you can enter the giveaway simply by emailing me at jbrown@detnews.com and tell me why you'd like to win a copy of the book. Please put the word "paper" in the subject line and REMEMBER to include your name and address.

Good Luck!

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Category: Yarn Works

Amazing 'Spirit of 76 Sale' at The Knotted Needle!!!

Now through June 30th, if you spend $76 or more for yarn at The Knotted Needle, you'll save 25%!!! Best of all, you get to pick the yarn of your choice, and you can even mix and match brands!!! WOW, what a deal!!!

Hurry, June 30th is just around the corner.

(The Knotted Needle is located at 20237 Mack Ave. in Grosse Pointe Woods. For more information, call (313) 886-2828).

Category: Other

Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival Set for June 19-21

You may find yourself in a rather sticky situation if you attend the sixth annual Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival, scheduled for June 19-21 at Veteran's Memorial Park on Detroit Road in Avon, Ohio.

The three-day event will feature "a unique display of Mardi Gras-themed sculptures created with duct tape (Duct Tape brand duct tape is available in more than 20 colors, so the sculptures are bound to be spectacular!), Sticky duct tape arts and crafts for children and adults alike, an interactive duct tape quest throughout the festival grounds, free rolls of duct tape to the first 500 people each day of the festival, and, of course, traditional festival favorites, including rides, food, games, live entertainment, booths from local vendors and organizations and more!

...For additional event information, directions and local accommodations, call toll-free, 1-866-818-1116 or visit www.AvonDuctTapeFestival.com."

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Category: Yarn Works

Enter the 'Jelly Yarn' book giveaway

Now you can stretch your imagination while teaching kids how to knit and crochet with "jelly yarn" and the book titled "Jelly Yarn, 20 Cool Projects for Girls to Knit and Crochet" (Krause Publications/$19.99) by Kathleen Greco and Nick Greco.

From knitting and crocheting dog leashes and sports bottle slings to purses and belts, youngsters will love the hip and colorful creations they'll learn to make with your help and the book's easy-to-follow instructions. Best of all, everything made with jelly yarn is waterproof which explains the pattern for a snow globe flower! Now how cool is that?

"Jelly Yarn is a new, round and glossy yarn that's ideal for knitting or crocheting. It's made of 100 percent vinyl and comes in 14 yummy colors. The yarn is simple to work with because the stitches are easy to see, and they won't split like some fiber yarns," according to the book's introduction.

Hey, this sounds like the perfect material for knitting or crocheting a beach tote for any age group!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the book, just e-mail me at jbrown@detnews.com and tell me how this book might help you in teaching a youngster how to knit. Please put the words "jelly yarn" in the subject line, and remember to include your name and address.

Good luck!