Use Your House: Sewing and Crafts
Is there any better way to personalize your home than to decorate it with beautiful things you've crafted yourself? Even if you're not the knick knack type, chances are you appreciate a space that reflects your tastes. So take the practical needs of your home--window coverings, throw blankets, plant pots, and a myriad of other functional objects and infuse your own sense of style.
Plain clay pottery can be decorated with oven-fire glazes at home, or you can head to a paint-your-own-pottery studio and make a party of it. Or, take the approach of the pioneers and turn castoff clothes or linens into artwork for your home. A colorful crazy quilt (or a less-ambitious throw pillow) you sew yourself is a beautiful expression of your style and a great way to save some money, too. And for a fun and funky way to handle an often-messy problem, try this grocery bag dispenser, guaranteed to make you smile every time you open the broom closet.
If you're unsure where to start, or just lack the confidence, look to the web for free patterns and tutorials for just about any project you might want to undertake. If you prefer to cozy up with a good book instead of the computer mouse, go the old-fashioned route and check out your local library. Some yarn shops offer free knitting sessions (in the hopes that you'll be coming back to buy their yarn!) Or, maybe a friend or relative would be thrilled to show you the ins and outs of crocheting.
Don't be afraid to try your hand at beautifying your home! What's the worst that can happen? If the patchwork throw comes out a horrifying mess, you can always just bless the pet with it and blame the outcome on the dog.
For more ideas on making utility and artistry meet, check out our Put Art to Work page.
Plain clay pottery can be decorated with oven-fire glazes at home, or you can head to a paint-your-own-pottery studio and make a party of it. Or, take the approach of the pioneers and turn castoff clothes or linens into artwork for your home. A colorful crazy quilt (or a less-ambitious throw pillow) you sew yourself is a beautiful expression of your style and a great way to save some money, too. And for a fun and funky way to handle an often-messy problem, try this grocery bag dispenser, guaranteed to make you smile every time you open the broom closet.
If you're unsure where to start, or just lack the confidence, look to the web for free patterns and tutorials for just about any project you might want to undertake. If you prefer to cozy up with a good book instead of the computer mouse, go the old-fashioned route and check out your local library. Some yarn shops offer free knitting sessions (in the hopes that you'll be coming back to buy their yarn!) Or, maybe a friend or relative would be thrilled to show you the ins and outs of crocheting.
Don't be afraid to try your hand at beautifying your home! What's the worst that can happen? If the patchwork throw comes out a horrifying mess, you can always just bless the pet with it and blame the outcome on the dog.
For more ideas on making utility and artistry meet, check out our Put Art to Work page.