"Stitch" is a new sewing magazine coming out November 11 from the people at Quilting Arts (both published by Interweave Press). It looks like a pretty decent magazine for the modern sewer. There are a few project pictures on their site, but it would have been nice to see more of this preview issue...similar to what they do for Interweave Knits. If you pre-order the issue from the Quilting Arts site, you can save 10%. I will most likely buy this issue, but will probably wait to get a good look at it first. I haven't really found a sewing magazine yet I've liked enough to purchase a subscription for, but this one looks promising.
Knitting with Marzipan
By way of another blog (sorry, don't remember which), I saw this link to the VeganYumYum Web site. They have a tutorial on how to create "knitted" items out of marzipan. I bet these cupcakes are 10 times better tasting than wool ;-) Even if you aren't a vegan, take a look around the site. It has great photos, and lots of yummy looking food.
(photo courtesy of the VeganYumYum Web site)
Blueprint and Bluelines
For a while now, I had been trying to find the latest issue of Blueprint magazine. The new issue was mentioned on someone else's site (they actually had a copy), but couldn't find it anywhere. I finally found it at Target on Friday. I REALLY like this magazine...if more for its layout and asthetic than its articles. The articles are ok, but nothing earth-shattering. I just love looking at it. No wonder it is a Martha Stewart publication. This is only its third issue, but I might go ahead and subscribe ($15 for six issues - look for the card in the mag as it is more expensive to subscribe through the Web site (?). This issue kicks off their blog called "Bluelines." The blog has a list of entry catagories down the left-hand side to help you navigate the blog, and I like how the banners change for each category. Time will tell if it sticks around.
They do have a link on the blog that leads you to an electronic version of the very first issue of Blueprint. As you browse around, you can click on the pages to make them larger in order to read the text. I am not a big one for converting print publications to online documents, but they did a pretty good job with this one. Take a look.
One little annoying note: Their magazine Web site has not been updated to reflect the new issue. Stale sites are a huge pet peeve of mine. I mean come on, they can pay extra people to update the site, so why not get that done when the issue hits the stands?
"I've Got No Strings"
We were very fortunate last night to be treated to a puppet show. I really can't tell you much about the show as I was having a hard time following the plot, but it was very entertaining. From what I was told this morning, it looks like we will get to see another one tonight. And the best part is they are FREE!
My aunt made this puppet-show drape for the Bean when she was here visiting in March. The pocket on the front holds the show time/name. It is held at the top with a tension rod...very easy to put up and take down. She modeled this one after a McCalls pattern (#4796) and she stitched the entire thing while standing and using my old machine on the pool table. What a crafter! We scored big at the Dollar Store with a ton of animal hand puppets and cloth dolls that look like the Princesses. She can pretty much present any princess story, except that a dog has to stand in for the Prince. My sister, brother, and I used to give puppet shows all the time, so I think I was more excited at first than the Bean at the prospect of having our very own puppet theatre (especially one that wasn't a piano bench with a blanket draped across the front!). This is WAY up-town compared to what I had. We just need to work on our "behind-the-scenes" etiquette. Sometimes the giggling is so loud you can't hear the show ;-)
Podcast: design*sponge
Whip up had a recent entry about a blog devoted to design that just started a podcast.
"a website dedicated to home and product design. Launched in August of 2004, Design*Sponge features store and product reviews, sale and contest announcements, new designer profiles, and trend forcasting. In addition, Design*Sponge is dedicated to covering student design and international design shows (maintained by a team of student and international correspondents)."
The site itself is just lovely, and the interviews look very interesting. I will definitely be adding this one to my list of weekly podcasts.
