Pressing Matters

Just a quick link post this month, to an article I wrote some time ago for the AntiCraft. It's just a simple why-to/how-to about preparing your fabric for sewing, before it ever sees the cutting table.

Ironing Sucks!


Enjoy!

The Samhain '09 Issue of the AntiCraft is Up

And it's all about me me me! Seriously, in just this issue I have four projects and a review. It wasn't planned, I just kept having ideas, and failed to realize how much I was trying to do at one time. I managed to get it all done anyway.

Flask Jacket: A sewn fabric cover for a hip flask. "Dress up a plain hip flask for a night at the cemetery, cover the claw marks left on it from the last full moon, or just remind yourself which flask has the whiskey and which has the O-negative."









Restraint: "It's what you apply to your slave's wrist or ankle.

It's what you ask of a dirty old man in a forum full of crafty girls. (He knows who he is.)

It's what you show when your servant spills the wine again. Unless you don't."

A carrying harness for a wine bottle made from thrifted belts.



Hoist By Your Own Picard: A cordial. "Tea. Earl Grey. Hard."












Terpon's Cup: A spiced honeydew melon cordial. "I'd like to think Terpon might have made libation of such a drink as this in honor of noble Aphrodite."











Review: Xela's Disposable Flasks. Perfect for sharing your home made, um...infusions with distant friends.











Whew! That's a lot of crafting and writing. I think I'll take a break on the next issue, Imbolc '10. But don't worry; I'll let you know when it comes out. Maybe you'd like to contribute, to take up some of my slack? The theme for that one is food. After all, it's best to eat something, if you're going to drink.

Two New Releases!

I'm so pleased! 42 Magazine's inaugural issue has finally been released! It's forty-four pages of wonderful writing and art, all wrapped up inside gorgeously rich cover art by Kathleen Flannigan. Page seven features an article by yours truly about thrifty crafting, accompanied by the wonderful illustrations of Danielle Thillet. There's parables and poetry and pictures, with very little silly alliteration!

Here in pixel-land, the Beltane '09 issue of the AntiCraft, Attack of the Merkins is live. (I should warn you that the pictures in this ish may not be safe for work. It probably depends on where you work.) You'll find my offerings in this issue bright and shiny, and later you'll be able to see another. I'll let you know when that one's available for viewing. Don't the let the wait make your brown eyes blue. ;)

Both 42 and the AntiCraft are always looking for your submissions of creativity for publication.

42 looks for "...articles, poems, and stories that illuminate the themes of a meaningful life, whatever that means to you. Our thematic focus -- if indeed something so diffuse can even be called a focus -- is on: Peace :: Justice :: Ecology :: Economy :: Self-reliance :: Simplicity :: Reason :: Joy :: Love :: Art "

For more details on the what, how, and where, visit 42's submission information page.

The Anticraft likes "Craft in any media (weaving, metallurgy, crochet, soul-painting, cooking, or other any medium you can bend to your will)... so long as results are reproducible by your tutorial, it doesn't suck, and it is previously unpublished (blogs count). " The what/how/where for the AC is found at their submission page. The theme for the next issue is embroidery, but you should submit whatever moves you. If we like it, we'll find a place for it in a future issue.

I hope to see something from you in the inboxes soon!