craftzine.com:

CRAFT Newsletter for October 26, 2006

Buy CRAFT on newsstands today, White chocolate sugar skulls, Travel coin bracelet, Stone paintings by Suzi Chua, Chicago's Gurelea crew, Halloween amigurumi crochet patterns, CRAFT podcast pattern: Fitzpatterns Tonia Cape.

From the CRAFT Blog

Buy CRAFT on newsstands today!

The day is here! CRAFT magazine is now available for you to buy on newsstands. So head on over to your favorite magazine stand and pick yourself up a copy of CRAFT! Also available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, JoAnn Fabrics, Michael's craft stores, and more. Don't want to venture outside? Buy Vol. 01 now from Amazon.com. Link.

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White Chocolate Sugar Skulls

CRAFT friend Kathy Cano Murillo, aka The Crafty Chica, has made some delicious and spooky white chocolate sugar skulls that are perfect Halloween treats. Don't miss Kathy on the DIY Network's Craft Lab (10/17, air time 1:30pm eastern), where she'll show you more cool projects to make for the Dia de los Muertos. Kathy is also featured in CRAFT 01 with her project "Fiesta Explosion Flower Pots" which you can find on page 133. Link.

Related:
Archive of Kathy's past Halloween projects - Link.

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Travel Coin Bracelet

Ansley of Bleu Arts shows us how her crafty mom made a coin bracelet from foreign coins from their family vacations. From Ansley, "She made this one for me that has coins from some of the European counties I have visited. This one has coins from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Greece. It is a fun and inexpensive souvenir." Link.

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Stone Paintings by Suzi Chua

Spluch says, "These unique and realistic paintings by stone and pastel artist Suzi Chua are simply amazing! I've never thought that painting can bring so much "life" to such ordinary stones." Don't miss the food stones -- they look good enough to eat! Link.

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Chicago's Gurelea Crew

By Goli Mohammadi

Straight outta Chicago, the Gurelea crew makes saucy shirts with their renegade mad graffiti steez -- so renegade, in fact, that I met them at the Renegade Craft Fair last month. Check out this funky five-artist collective online. Link.

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A Closer Look: Etsy Halloween Amigurumi Crochet Patterns

Halloween Amigurumi crochet patterns
http://www.etsy.com/view_item.php?listing_id=517402

By Arwen O'Reilly

I'm a big fan of Julie's crochet Amigurumi patterns (elephants and polar bears and bumble bees, oh my!), and the Halloween set cracks me up. Make a squat little green witch, a round-eyed ghost, a fat and cheery pumpkin, or a sprawling spider, and scare a giggle out of your neighbors, kids, or office mates. Even better, upgrade your juggling skills, and impress everyone with a blur of Halloween goodness. Be sure to check out Julie's shop on Etsy and make some of her other wonderful creatures. (Her set of bug patterns is for a black bug body with lady bug, bumble bee, and green beetle "backpacks." Amazing.) I asked Julie a few questions about how she got started and what inspires her:

Arwen: How did you get involved with crafting?

Julie: I can't really imagine a life without crafting -- it's something that was always a part of everyday life at home. Mum was always crocheting, spinning, or knitting something! She taught me to knit when I was four and crochet when I was eight. Dad is also creative; when I was young I just took it for granted that he could make or mend anything! He works mainly in metal and wood, so when I was growing up I was lucky enough to experience quite a range of crafts!

Arwen: How do you feel about Halloween?

Julie: I look on Halloween celebrations warmly. Childhood memories of dressing up, bobbing for apples, and making treacle toffee keep the wonder of Halloween alive for me. These days, to me, Halloween is a mixture of past, present, and future because whilst I still enjoy Halloween I'm aware that I'm helping to create memories for the children around me.

Arwen: What inspires you?

Julie: I'm inspired by all sorts of things, but animals mainly. I carry a small sketch book with me so that I can jot down a few notes and perhaps a sketch of anything that's inspired me. Once I've created my designs in crochet, I test the toys on my niece and nephews. It never fails to amaze me just how much fun and enjoyment they get from the little characters.

Arwen: What's one tip you'd give to other crafters?

Julie: Have a go! Don't be afraid of getting it wrong and don't be afraid to ask for help; most crafters are more than happy to share their knowledge!

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CRAFT Podcast Pattern: Fitzpatterns Tonia Cape

This week's CRAFT podcast pattern is the Tonia Cape from Fitzpatterns where designer Lisa Howdin exclaims,"I can't believe capes are back. Nor how good they look with skinny jeans!!" The Tonia cape is a great addition for your wardrobe as a perfect Fall cover up. Suggested fabrics you can use are woven wools, tweeds, gabardines - something nice and chunky. It could also be lined with a mid-weight satin.

Tonia2