DIY ideas: Owl Plushies

I was checking out Ohdeedoh, Apartment Therapy's nursery section, and found an inspiring burst of inspiration--check out these owls! Yes, I know, owls were definitely overused in 2007 but in proper context, look at how cute they are here. Above, the Zakka Style Owls were created by Moonstitches, a crafty seamstress who resides in Japan, whose creations inspired the Scottish crafster who created her own baby owl mobile that the Ohdeedoh's post covers, below. I hear minimal sewing is involved in their creation, if so, I am tempted to work on this as a weekend project.

Back from Seattle

Spent a long weekend in Seattle and was so exhausted from my mini-vacay that it took me a good week to recover from it (What's up with needing a vacay from a vacay?). Snapped lotsa photos, saw the interesting sights...I can say that Seattle is a verrrry clean city with interesting design. Came back with some goodies to dole out for coworkers and a lil' nifty souvenier for myself.



Meet Wee Ninja.
I found him at the Seattle Art Museum's gift shop and with my lil' fetish for ninjas I couldn't help but snatch him up--I couldn't tear myself away--it got to the point where my BF bought it for me but I think he's secretly taken by the ninja's huggability himself.
See more of him at Shawnimals
And to further snowball this plush toy tangent into another, I present you my fav Youtube clip: "Ask a Ninja"

Pretty in (Knitted) Punk

Interesting read from the LA Times, excerpt below:
Rocker chic goes warm and fuzzy

Pretty in Punk: 25 Punk, Rock and Goth Knitting Projects' offers rocker style with all the expertise of Grandma.
By Amy Scattergood, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 23, 2007

THE next time you're in search of a knitting project, ask not what Grandma would have done, but what Sid would have knit. Sid Vicious, that is. "Pretty in Punk: 25 Punk, Rock and Goth Knitting Projects" is the first book from Alyce Benevides and Jaqueline Milles, New York designers and founders of Knit-Head, a "punk rock knitwear company."
Inspired by their love of '80s music, especially British Invasion punk and new wave, Benevides and Milles found success after they presented their signature knitted Mohawk hat to Depeche Mode singer Martin Gore, who wore it throughout the band's 2006 tour -- and doesn't seem to have taken it off since.

And if yarn Mohawks aren't your thing, the book features two dozen other inventive patterns with inspiration drawn from designers such as Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano and styles including Goth, Japanese "Lolita," and even some fetching retro preppy looks. Throw some military chic and S&M fetishism and you have a knitting book even Courtney Love could embrace.

But "Pretty in Punk" isn't just about style: It's a book with substance too. Clearly written, and filled with concise instructions, a good glossary and handy references, the book blends knowledge of fashion trends with old-school knitting know-how. The photography may be arty and the style allusions avant-garde, but the mechanics are as sturdy as any Elvis Presley-era knitting manual.



Personally, I think the arm warmers are excellent, Marc Jacobs features his own on his website.

******
The LA Times continues to give excellent west-coast fashion coverage with the DIY scenesters.
Last week, they interviewed the designers behind Mike & Chris, who I mentioned about previously and even posted a link on how to make a DIY hoodie jacket.

Here's a link where they show you how to knit your own arm warmers here and if you're even more wickedly ambitious, a knitted corset here. The designers behind the book have their own website, Knit-Head.

Also, check out the LA Times coverage of stylish indie girls on the scene here

Looks like Miami's indie community is attempting to incubate its first craftsers fair. Props to the folks behind the
rag*trade clothing company who are sponsoring it in the Miami Design Destrict. To read more about them and the fair, check them out on Myspace.
This Saturday, July 21, 11am-5pm @ 4600 NE 2nd Ave Miami.
See you there.

Crafters: DIY Transformers

In the spirit of Transformers, I present you Ready Mech, a site dedicated to serving your inner child's needs for fun DIY toys (remember cootie catchers?) by bringing you these ingenius fold-flat, paper cutout toy designs, perfect for your desktop or adult play room. If you're insistant on finding a Transformers-like fold-flat toy design, Martin Gee, designer at the San Jose Mercury News, made this cute robo here.
Scissors, printer, and tape not included.