Crafting on Alfred Avenue

Cupcake Liner Garland

2009-12-02T13:14:00.001-08:00

How pretty is this? I really, really like it - it would be a great way to decorate for a party. And you can use different colors of cupcake liners for different events (like red and green for Christmas).

Christmas Time!

2009-12-01T21:09:00.001-08:00

I LOVE Christmas. It's definitely my favorite holiday. I've never really been into Halloween and Easter is okay, but Christmas is the bees knees.

There have been some really, really great Christmas crafts around the blogging world lately. Please allow me to share them with you? And then after you're finished with finals and before you start playing with all of your new presents you've found under your Christmas tree, work on some of these.

Make an easy tree!

Rachel, over at Hounds in the Kitchen, created this tree because she and her family were sick of their big ol' Christmas tree drying out by the time Christmas actually rolled around. What a great idea! And really, you could even have this in addition to a "real" tree.

There are TONS of Christmas ideas happening over at Sweet Paul. Well, so far, there's only two - but every day he is posting a new Christmas project. So far, we have homemade glittery Christmas cards and roasted chestnuts.

Elise at enJOY it as a great post about creating a Christmas-ey notebook/scrapbook. I love the homemade details of it. Also, I am ridiculously envious of her handwriting. My penmanship is HORRIBLE.

Craft Magazine has some GREAT projects already posted and there will only be more. So far, I am loving these ribbon cards and DIY holiday wreathes.

Finally, the Purl Bee has two projects that just...make me want to drop what I'm doing, create a huge family, and then make these monogrammed Dreidel bags and customized stockings. Kind of. Not really.

But kind of.

Stay tuned for more Christmas projects in the future!

Gift-Wrapping Ideas

2009-11-25T18:32:00.000-08:00

I LOVE wrapping presents. I also love unwrapping them.

Along those lines, I LOVE buying presents for people.

...and I obviously enjoy receiving them, too.

Anyways. I feel like this year, the magazines are kicking up creative and interesting ways to wrap presents. Not that there is anything wrong with a roll of wrapping paper from Target and a little gift-tag, but come on- let's go the extra mile sometimes!

So here are some of my favorites.

First up is a slideshow from Real Simple Magazine. Click of the link in the last sentence to see all of them. Pictures are below.

Better Homes & Gardens has some great online resources, too. I especially love the following...

Glittery Snowman Gift-tag:

The following are from this page (ornaments and jingle bells!):

So get on out there and tie some stuff onto your pressies!

Perfect for a Winter Wedding

2009-11-20T18:14:00.000-08:00

I believe I've mentioned this before, but I'm getting married to a wonderful, adorable boy in July of 2010. I consider myself a pretty crafty person and am trying to DIY things (invitations, save-the-dates, favors, centerpieces, etc) as much as possible.

I don't think that this would necessarily be an appropriate favor for the hot, gross, sticky, humid summer in St. Louis, but it WOULD be perfect for a winter wedding: a s'more kit.

I LOVE s'mores. They are one of those indulgences I never, ever get to actually have. The last time I had a "real" s'more (one made over a campfire) was years ago. I've tried heating it over my stove burner, which just made the marshmallow taste like gas. They explode in the microwave. You just NEED a campfire.

Or a chiminea, which we have in my backyard at home but I doubt my mom would let me use it without supervision. Nevermind the fact that I'm 21 years old or anything...

Anyway - I present to you, dear reader - the perfect winter wedding favor...

The DIY S'MORES KIT!!!

It's sleek and yummy looking and see-through. I spotted this on Twig & Thistle. You can purchase all the supplies through Packaging Supplies. They seem relatively easy to assemble - they used clear acetate boxes to package each of the three ingredients and then tied them all together with colorful baking twine. Easy-peasy!

What are some other good ideas for wedding favors? Anyone have any thoughts?

What Crafting Essential Are You?

2009-11-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

A quick Google search of "crafting essential" brought me to this website, with a fun little quiz.

I'm glue and sticky tape!

What are you? Tell me in the comments.

You can also find out what your secret crafting identity is here (I'm a multiple personality crafter).

[image from here]

Slide Lamp

2009-11-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

So, this isn't really cheating, but maybe it is a little bit...

I made this slide lamp earlier this year. I've been busy lately with school work and wedding planning, and making this pillow (I need to take pictures and post them; it's coming along!!), so it's been hard to concentrate on new, specific crafts.

Making this slide lamp was a ton of fun. My high school media and history teacher, Barry O'Keeffe, had a library card catalog of old slides from his media classes in the '70s. When we graduated, he told our media class that we could take as many of the old slides as we wanted, if we needed them for anything. Most of the girls thought they were stupid, but a couple of us spent HOURS holding the little teeny slides up to the fluorescent lights, picking out ones we liked.

It was three years before I did anything with them, but when I DID - the results were pretty cool. I mean, I think the results are cool. Check it out!

I started by getting a crappy, kind of ugly lamp from Target that was way-on-sale. It was one of those lamps is rectangular shaped (as you can see in the picture above), covered/wrapped in linen. I plugged it in once, as-is, before I dismantled it. It was pretty, but I had bigger plans for it.

After ripping the fabric off of it and using Goo-Gone (oh my gosh, one of the BEST products ever, seriously) to scrape the remnants of glue off of the frame, I got to work. I measured the slides and then the length/width of the lamp and figured out that I could fit three slides across and five slides down, on each side. This meant that, with four sides, I would need 60 slides.

The main idea for the slide lamp came from ReadyMade Magazine (one of the best magazines ever). They suggested using brackets and jewelery rings to connect the slides to each other, but I tried doing that and it was too hard. I needed pliers to pull the rings apart and I got too impatient with that, SO I decided to sew the slides together.

I bought some white embroidery thread and used a thumbtack to poke holes into the cardboard part of the slides. Then I laid them side by side and sewed three slides together at a time, and then sewed the three sides onto another set of three slides, and so on and so forth. Then, I poked holes all along the top row and sides of the slides where they were congruent to frame, and I sewed those together as well.

Voila! I screwed in a lightbulb and bam! A slide lamp!

What do you think?

Anthropologie

2009-11-02T08:16:00.000-08:00

Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores. It's a shame, though, because I really can't afford anything from it. It's super expensive, but almost every item found online or in-store is so Kaylen Hoffman it's ridiculous.

I spent a couple of minutes browsing some of the new holiday decor items this morning, and while they are incredibly beautiful, I think they can be recreated at home for much cheaper.

Snowflake ornament - this could be recreated with some wire, lots of powder-blue beads, and glitter.

Button ornament - This one is probably the easiest to recreate. I've made button ornaments before, but not quite as meticulous - this would just require a ton of red buttons, pliable wire, and pliers. I love how Christmas-ey it looks!

I LOVE this pirate ship ornament. I'm not 100% sure how to DIY it. Definitely three different kinds of fabric. Some rhinestones, wire, and some beads (if you look carefully, you can see them in the bow of the ship).

Whale Ornament - how adorable is this?! There is also a jellyfish and an anchor and an octopus. If you know how to knit or crochet, this should be easy. But I have no clue how to do either of those things. Some knitting needles, blue yarn, and polyfil (stuffing) should be all that you need.

Tree Topper - I love how old-fashioned this looks. I would need some strong, heavy wire for the base, and then another type of strong wire for the star points. Also, some beads. And then bam! An adorable tree-topper.

These next couple of things aren't necessarily holiday-related, but I love how they look handmade. And I think that they could be recreated.

Chateau Lamp - this is way too fancy, but if you're feeling especially industrious, this is definitely the project for you. You need a ton of wire and a really good pair of pliers. I guess it isn't quite as difficult as it seems, once you make a ton of the little pieces (the square windows and curliques) and then put them all together.

Travel Scrapbook - I just love how this looks. I also love VW buses. This should be relatively simple to create - just a pretty floral fabric in the background, and then six or seven different colors for the bus, flowers, and banner. Then just a little bit of embroidery to say "My Travels" and you're golden!

Teacup Lamp - this is another complicated project, but I have seen it done before on apartment therapy. You need a few pieces of tea sets - tea cups, saucers, and even a tea pot. Then, drill a small hole in the center of each piece (for the cord to the lamp to go through). Then you just need a lampshade and a lighting kit and bam! A lamp.

Halloween Crafts

2009-10-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

I'm honestly not a huge fan of Halloween. I loved it when I was little - but only for the candy. I never really cared about dressing up. I still don't. Basically, I'm a horrible college student.

However, Ms. Martha Stewart has a delightful array of Halloween crafts on her website. While I can't really envision myself creating any of these, I like that they are available because someday I will be doing these (when I have kids and am a room parent or whatever).

How adorable is this octopus costume?

Perfect for a little ballerina:

Glow-in-the-dark pumpkins? I like these:

Eeeeek! Paper Mice!

Glow-in-the-dark spiderweb tablecloth. Awesomeness.

Terrifying topiary:

Well, that's all I've got. I hope the fabulous Martha Stewart and I have inspired you to lovingly, painstakingly decorate every inch and corner of your home/apartment/dorm room.

Happy Halloween!

Crafty Pillow!

2009-10-20T15:40:00.001-07:00

I'm making this next week. I say next week because I may not get the supplies until then. Also, I need there to be a few days before I get the supplies and I decide to do it. And I just ordered the supplies today.

I love how comfortable it looks. I'll take pictures as I make it and show the end product to you all!

Mod Podge Tutorial

2009-10-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay. So here is the promised tutorial.

To begin - where does one buy Mod Podge? Well, it's everywhere. Closer to the city of St. Louis, Bradburn's (a teacher's supply store) has it. However, it can also be found at any Michael's or Hobby Lobby in the area. I suspect it can be found in other places, but I have yet to see it at Target. Maybe Wal-Mart? I suspect that almost any arts & crafts store will have it. Regardless, get yourself over to Michael's or Hobby Lobby and get you some.

So, Mod Podge is very easy to work with. It works like a watered-down glue. Does anyone remember making papier-mache sculptures? And you would soak the newsaper strips in a water and glue mix? That's about the consistency of Mod Podge.

You can get Mod Podge in to finishes - glossy or matte. I always go for glossy, although I've realized over the years that some projects would definitely have worked better with matte. The glossy is very high-shine. If you don't want light reflecting off of it, you may want to go with the matte.

As I said before, it's easy to work with. I used a paintbrush to apply it to whatever I'm working with, but sponge-brushes work great, too - they give it an even finish.

Here is my glue drawer, in my trusty card-catalog.

That's right, I have three bottles of the grand stuff.

So, you begin by dipping your paintbrush in the Mod Podge. I usually just keep it in the plastic container, but it would be nice to have a bigger-lipped container to dip your brush in. Then, you apply it - just like you would paint!

It goes on pretty thick and white-ish. I would put the paintbrush on it over and over again to smooth it out, but there will be some white left over - and that's okay. It will dry clear.

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial! Right now I just have these pictures of me Mod Podging it up - with a bulletin board border. But soon enough I will take plenty of pictures of me with Mod Podge and paper and other materials.

I'm almost finished with the bulletin board - I'll post the finished project after I get the last thing I need!

For more information, check out this tutorial at An Altered Obsession. Also, there's a whole blog devoted to projects made with Mod Podge. Like shoes. Hmmm...yeah, you should probably check that out.

The Creative Process

2009-10-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of Ira Glass? No? Oh boy. I hope you have, like, the next week free, because you need to get yourself over to the This American Life webpage, and listen to every episode ever.

Okay, I haven't even done that. But I love Ira Glass. I started listening to This American Life way back when I first started blogging. Jordan had referred her readers to a particular episode, I listened, and I cried and I thought, "wow. Radio is not dead."

That was almost three years ago and I sort of forgot about the whole thing until Pete and I started listening more frequently.

Anyway, that part isn't really important. The video I've posted below is important. Ira Glass, the host of This American Life, is easily one of the most creative, intelligent, revered-in-the-arts-community person I know. And all of his advice given in this video is just so inspirational. I've changed my mind recently about what I want to do, and I do want to take a more creative path after graduating from college. So, this video hit home for me.

I hope it helps you, too.

Tips for Beginner Sewers

2009-10-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

Check it out! This is some great advice.

From Threadbanger.

A Crafty Kind of Movie

2009-10-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay - I didn't make this. I'll probably never make something like this.

But look at it! How amazing does it look?

Answer: Ridiculously amazing. So watch it and tear up a little (which is what I did).

Some fun facts:

+ I decided to post this on the way to school today, when I was driving in my car, listening to Arcade Fire. The song you hear in the trailer - "Wake Up" - is sung by them. Love it!

+ I think that this is such a crafty-looking movie. The costumes, and the sets, and props...everything. It's just so beautiful looking.

+ This movie comes out on October 16. You will see me there.

+ Check out this blog - We Love You So - which is taken from a line in the book. The content of it is "Wild-Things"ish - things that the creator finds that either have to directly do with the movie, or things that look like Where the Wild Things Are, or just other cool things. So, check it out.

+ Lastly - I was terrified of this book when I was younger. For some reason it scared the beejeezus out of me.

Pirates vs. Ninjas

2009-09-25T10:33:00.001-07:00

It's an age-old question. I'm partial to ninjas. Too bad I'll never meet one...

So, when I saw this AMAZING checker set on Goose Grease, I thought, "awww I want it! Too bad it's $150."

Then, I remembered the second part of Goose Grease. Goose Grease Undone - which sells "naked" wooden figurines and paint sets, so us crafters can do-it-ourselves. And for only $30? Yes please!

I'm hoping to do some ordering in the next week, after I get paid. So...I'll keep you updated!

Bunny Scissors

2009-09-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

I forgot that I actually own a pair of non-necessary scissors. I'm kind of embarrassed, but at the same time - not.

My friend bought these for me in Italy. Those Italians.

Canvas - the Finished Project

2009-09-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

Hooray! All finished! I'm very proud of this. Very, very proud.

Halfway finished with X-acto-knifing the picture of us out.

Success! I cut as much out as I could with the X-acto knife (I did this on top of my super-thick Vogue September 2009). Then, I went back and cut off some stray pieces with my trusty (normal) scissors.

Finished canvas! I did this weeks ago, but here it is. I didn't take pictures of the process. Next time I work on something with Mod Podge, I will definitely document.

There we are! I applied Mod Podge to the back of the picture and slapped it into the corner. DO NOT put Mod Podge on the front. It will be way too shiny and will reflect like a mirror if light hits it.

Woo hoo! Full view (kind of).

My Children Will Hate Me.

2009-09-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

I only say this because once they are in this world, they're going to have to deal with homemade clothing, like this:

How adorable is that?

Crafting Essential #1: Scissors

2009-09-12T17:52:00.001-07:00

This may seem super obvious. However, it needs to be said.

Scissors are pretty much the thing I reach for the most when I'm doing anything that is crafty. I don't feel like I necessarily need to clarify why they are important, but you NEED a good pair of scissors.

They don't have to expensive or fancy or even pretty, but they need to work. And the two pieces of it (I don't know the correct terminology) need to not stick together.

Jordan, one of my favorite all-around bloggers, has posted about her favorite scissors multiple times. They're pricey ($20!!), but they look great and I've been lusting after them for awhile.

Here are some other awesome but probably not-worth-it pairs of scissors...

Stork Scissors from Bell'occhio - $45

Eiffel Tower Scissors from Bell'occhio - $88

Charles X Scissors from Bell'occhio - $95-$98

Rabbit Scissors from Bell'occhio - $110

Regular normal scissors? Priceless.

Current Project

2009-09-12T17:35:00.001-07:00

Okay, kids! I'm always working on some sort of craft project. Sometimes they'll sit, dormant, for weeks or months at a time...oh well. I get to it when I can.

But I'm hoping that this blog will help me keep up the craftiness. As in...I will have a reason to actually DO the projects and will have to do the projects.

So, here's what I have going on currently.

This family-photo project, featured on design*sponge. I love the use of negative space! And I always enjoy collaging, and especially...using Mod Podge (which is an integral crafting tool). The picture below is not mine; so far all I have finished is the collage in the background, of which I used old dictionary pages.

Next up, I'll be making photocopies of me and Pete (my fiance!) at Kinko's or wherever it is people do that sort of thing, and then using an X-Acto knife to cut us out, and then Mod-Podging us on. I really like how the project above looks. We'll figure something out.

Inspiring Craft Rooms

2009-09-12T17:20:00.000-07:00

As seen on One Pretty Thing, these rooms are awesome. I want all of them in my house, please.

If you have any craft rooms you want to share, email them my way at kaylen.hoffman@gmail.com !!!

A Little Introduction.

2009-09-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

Yay for crafts!

In short, this is a new blog I'm starting just now. I'm taking an English seminar course at SLU this semester, and - seriously - the big assignment is to start a blog. How awesome is that?! So we had to pick a particular topic, something that interests us and will keep us busy for a whole semester. I thought about a couple of things - letterpress, cupcakes, junk like that. But finally, I realized: crafts. Why not crafts?

People enjoy creating crafts, people enjoy receiving crafts and people enjoy reading about crafts. And not everyone likes these things, but there is definitely a niche. I know a lot of people through other blogs of mine that will hopefully enjoy this site.

This site will have a couple of different things. There will be reviews of craft sites (a lot of them that are over to the right side of the page), featured DIY projects from other sites, and then (what I think will be my favorite part), MY DIY projects. Those will either be projects I dreamt up myself, or a project attempted from another source.

So! Keep an eye out here as I update, add stuff, and continue to make the site grow!

Welcome!

2009-09-03T09:08:00.001-07:00

It's a new craft site! Check back regularly to see what's cooking up on Alfred Avenue in the craft room.

In the meantime, check out any of the blogs on the sidebar. They are chock full of inspirational projects for your family, friends, pets, home...pretty much anything!