i never thought this would happen

crafts and controversy? oh not just no, but HELL no. crafts and controversy go hand in hand. depicting touchy subjects in crafts or sex in crafts - well that's been going on forever (and i hope it continues to do so). crafting is an expression of what we are, what we feel, what we know to be true, what we hope to be true. our crafts are a part of us.

no, what is shocking to me is the wapo actually writing an article about CRAFTING AND FREE EXPRESSION and crafting on the edge!!!! wowwwwwwwwwww

(the article is kinda funny too)

and SHAME ON YOU JO-ANN FABRICS

Uncovered! The Unseemly Side of Quilts
By Monica Hesse
Washington Post Staff Writer
The issue is wrapped in a prim plastic sleeve, but the lurid electric blue display copy still leaps from the page:

Shocking!

Controversial!

Quilts!

Quilts?

As in, "Shocking Quilts: We Show You the Controversial Patchwork." Advertised right on the cover of Quilter's Home.

(The magazine's other cover lines: "5 Popular Appliqué Glues Put to the Test," "Read This Before Buying That Longarm.")

Mark Lipinski, the editor of Quilter's Home, knew that the January/February issue might be perceived as scandalous.

This is why he took precautions -- $2,500 worth of precautions, which is what it cost to wrap each of some 45,000 copies in plastic before distributing them to newsstands and craft stores across the country. Doing his best to protect the unwary public from the adults-only images inside (but you buy it for the articles). ..........

pic: Mary Beth Bellah says her Viagra-inspired quilt "Helping Hands" has caused a stir at some shows. (By Stephanie Gross For The Washington Post)

i love gourds

i've never worked with them though. i have always wanted to. i even bought some gourd seeds to plant (which of course I HAVE NOT). here are three gourd projects
gourd with a rim of rosemary
and
weaving gourd rims
and
a gourd bowl with pine trim

instead of a pin

i think i'd like to make a scarf or wrap out of these. sure, it would take a TON of time, but it WOULD be lovely

from cathie filian (i love cathie and steve on creative juice)

singed silk flowers

i was inspired by

november moon. her pot is beyond the pale. mine is well, it's mine.

her pot is the one with the newspaper and fresh moss. mine is with the succulents.

i used an old plastic bowl. i punched a few holes in the bottom. i used magazine pages with green on them and decoupaged the bowl. i then knitted a little rim (out of yarn i hand spun i must say!!!) and glued that on. i put a few little stones in the bottom of my bowl and some dirt. i planted the succulents and put a bit of sphagnum on the top as well.

i posted the tutorial for the sandwich wrap the other day

now here is one for a whole lunch bag! (unfortunately again,-for ME - it DOES involve sewing)

lunch time

from skip to my lou

(shout out to craftzine)

from steve and cathie

at creative juice (on diy network), make a cool covered chinese take out box

(cathie's blog - cathie filian and cathie and steve's website)

elsa mora

blog of the month. what wicked cool stuff! here are just three examples out of MANY. stop by. you won't be sorry (shout out to craft magazine for the link)

wow wow and wow

elsa mora