Saturday, December 12, 2009

It's a Wrap!


Join us this weekend at th Cherrywood Art Fair to learn awesome upcycled gift wrap techniques. Make a unique statement with beautiful and upcycled gift wrapping.


With these simple supplies you can create memorable and affordable packaging that is green too!


Wrap gifts with old paper shopping bags and use punches or confetti to create a pattern, and decorate with feathers and yarn.


Yarn and paper can make a simple and sophisticated look.


This one uses two different ribbon scraps and some berries off an old wreath.


Newspaper is instantly spruced up with an old shiny ornament.


Get creative, this one has a paper bag handle attached with brads.


Check back for a quick tutorial on how to make these bows, one from a toilet paper tube and the other from magazine.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Austin Post's City-Wide White Elephant Party!


This month for our Third Thursday Mix & Make Crafty Hour, we'll be out at this fantastic shindig thrown by Austin Post! We're doing an awesome make & take {what you ask? it's a surprise!} and you're invited!

The deets: Bring a wrapped gag gift and exchange it for another wrapped gift, which could be a fabulous prize from a sponsor, or it could be Aunt Nelda's hand-crocheted coasters. Trading is A-OK, and you're required to write your gag gift on your nametag, so outlandishness is encouraged.

* Free drinks from Dulce Vida Tequila & St. Germain (a fabulous holiday Hibiscus Jalapeno Martini - sounds delish!)
* Dulce Vida and St. Germain tequila sunrise cupcakes from the Cupcake Fairy, MisoHungry herself
* Free pizza by Promise Pizza, one of the newest and greatest pizza spots in Round Rock
* Free sushi by Kenichi, one of Austin's sushi institutions
* Music by Twist and Shout
* Holiday Mischief Photobooth by Trevor Ray Thompson
* Holiday Hair & Makeup Touch-Ups by Johanna Esper of Bo Salon
* Sponsored by awesome local bloggers, including Austin Eavesdropper, MisoHungry, and Tit for Tat
* Gifts from Po Campo bags, *AnneMarie*, Merritt Gade, Sweet Wolf, Vintage Rehab, Bella Flora Creative, Lipsting Media & Lucy Blue Studio

***Secure your spot on the guest list - space is limited!
RSVP at www.electricpromotions.com/rsvp***

Gifts to Beat the Winter Blahs!

Here are a few inspiring gift ideas I've seen on the web recently. Any of these would be gifts I'd love to receive (hint, hint!) because they are all about making the cold days of winter more comfy-cozy. I've also put links to a few of the coolest gift guides I've found at the end of this post. Enjoy!

The Woodland Draft Buster from Betz White is so cute! You can find the pattern in her book, Sewing Green. The book itself would make a lovely gift for someone crafty, but if you have the time, why not buy the book as a gift to yourself & whip some draft dodgers up for your loved ones? Helping them stay warm & cozy this winter would be a wonderful gift.

















This next project is totally tempting me, because my skin gets horribly dry during the winter. I'm sure you have someone on your list who also suffers this winter affliction, so how about making them an indulgent brown sugar scrub?

Find the incredibly simple instructions on Craftzine and get to it! This is one that children will love making, too. Mix it up, put it in a jar & use fabric scraps & ribbon to pretty it up - so easy!



Lastly, a fashionable & functional classic: a pretty scarf. This scarf has a twist though: it's made from an old sweater (yay, upcycling!) & gathered using a long ribbon (clever!), so that it has a very ruffly look. How pretty is this? and it looks like it would keep your neck nice and warm (very important for short-haired girls like me)! This project is another one from the amazing folks at Craftzine. Check out the Sew a Ruffled Scarf post for a detailed how-to. Don't be scared; it actually seems very simple to make as long as you have basic sewing skills.

Wouldn't any of these make a fantastic, thoughtful gift? Sure wish I had started on them earlier... maybe I'll be able to make some gifts for Christmas 2010, if I start now! Oh well, if you're in a time crunch like me, you can still find tons of fabulous gifts online by checking out the gift guides below. Or better yet, shop at your local craft shows & support handmade! If you're in Austin, come out & see us at Cherrywood Art Fair this weekend!

Great Holiday Gift Guide Roundup 09:
- under $50 gift guide from design*sponge {they have many gift guides to browse; see their full list}
- Slow Holiday gift guide from Treehugger
- and of course, there's a plethora of gift guides on Etsy!

Happy shopping &/or making! Please leave links to your fave gift guides or DIY gift ideas in the comments!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Don't miss Cherrywood Art Fair this weekend!


The handmade holiday fun continues this weekend at the Cherrywood Art Fair! We'll be out there with a smorgasbord of fabulous handmade items & crafting kits. Over at The WonderCraft booth (just look for Stella, our shiny Airstream trailer!), we'll also be demonstrating lots of cool upcycled gift-wrapping techniques throughout the weekend.

Cherrywood is an amazing shopping paradise for those who love unique, handmade items & one-of-a-kind art - over 80 vendors! Here's a peek at a few. Plus lots of great live music, kids' activities, artist demos & a huge silent auction. Come on by! All the deets you need can be found at cherrywoodartfair.org.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

EtsyAustin's Craft Riot! this weekend!
















This weekend we'll be out at EtsyAustin's Craft Riot! at the headquarters of Wines.com. You don't want to miss this fabulous holiday bazaar! In addition to all of the lovely, handmade items you'll find there from the EtsyAustin team that will make unique gifts for everyone on your list, you'll also enjoy fantastic wine & yummy local treats & photos with Santa! Head over to EtsyAustin's blog to "Meet Your Makers" (including yours truly) and be sure to enter the Craft Riot ticket giveaway while you're at it! Avoid the mall & shop local & handmade! All 4 of us WonderCrafters will be there with Stella, with each of our own handmade items (we're all members of EtsyAustin, too) & nifty WonderCraft DIY kits for sale inside, as well as free hot cocoa! Come out & join us!