Celebrate Vegetarian Awareness Month! (Who Knew!) + Vegetarian Recipe Card Template

October 05, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective

Last Thurdsay, October 1st, was World Vegetarian Day, the day that kicks off Vegetarian Awareness Month throughout October. Did you know that October was World Vegetarian Month? I did not!

World Vegetarian Day is observed annually on October 1. It is a day of celebration established by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978, "To promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism."[1] It brings awareness to the ethical, environmental, health and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.

World Vegetarian Day initiates the month of October as Vegetarian Awareness Month, which ends with November 1, World Vegan Day, as the end of that month of celebration. Vegetarian Awareness Month has been known variously as Reverence for Life month, Month of Vegetarian Food, and more. (www.wikipedia.com)

I recently found out about the day and month of observance and it struck a cord. See, I've been debating going vegetarian recently. I've dabbled on-and-off in vegetarianism throughout the years, but with a Latina background, I've grown up eating meat and I do enjoy it. While I don't eat it every day, I do crave it sometimes. That being said, as my body has taken on some changes recently and I've gained weight that I'm not happy about, I've found myself preparing, cooking and eating more fruits and vegetables and I've been content. And I'm debating making this the norm. In honor of this decision and to acknowledge the day and celebrate something we should all consider for not just our own livelihoods, but that of the Earth and all well as the Earth, I decided to combine two of my deep loves - environmental concerns and stationery and give our readers something to use in your homes and kitchens - a recipe card template.

About the template - This recipe card is double-side printed card that you can print to your hearts content. Please share it! All art and hand lettering was done by yours truly, Sara Stroman of S2 Stationery & Design. There are a two options for those interested - you can cut out your own card like a paper crafter**, or you can print the card exact to size*.

*If you would like to print it to size, use the following files: Side 1 and Side 2

**If you'd like to cut out your card after printing, use the following files: Side 1 and Side 2 and then see the steps below:

Necessary Tools:

White heavy paper stock, preferably 80lb cover stock (you can use any stock you have on hand)
Ruler
Pencil and eraser (to trace lines between crop/trim marks if using a scissor)
X-acto knife (preferred), or scissors
Cutting mat, if using xacto knife
Bone tool
Printer, color preferred

Steps:

1. Gather all your materials (see photo above)

2. Check that you can see your crop/trim marks (the PDFs for both sides have crop/trim marks) - these are going to be what you use to cut the card out.

3. Align your ruler against the crop mark lines, making sure the ruler is set against them as close as possible and that you are pushing the ruler firmly down against the paper as you cut. You will do this a total of four times as you cut around.

(IF using scissors method, please see "NOTE" below instructions.)

4. Cut between the lines. Do not cut to the edge of the paper, otherwise, you will lose your way to cut straight lines!

5. Once cut on all four sides, your card should pop out without any problems. If there are any, you will need to go over the edge with the X-acto knife for a clean edge.

6. Once cut out, you have the choice of leaving the card flat, or scoring the card on the dotted line on each side. If you decide to score the card, you will follow the same rules in step 3 above - align the ruler as close to the line as possible and run your bone tool down the line using your ruler as your guide.

7. Once scored on each side, fold the two sides in. The words will fold in. See below (and above in the gallery!).

Note: If you use scissors to cut out the card, I highly recommend that using a pencil you lightly create your cutting lines using your ruler between the crop/trim marks. Then cut carefully to get a straight edge.

And viola! That is your recipe card! Again, use to your hearts content. Share with your loved ones. Pass along some veggie love!

Enjoy! If you have a recipe you want to share, or want to share photos of your cards cut out and in use, please do so in the comments!

Cheers!
Sara

Meet the Artistan + Giveaway: Birdy27 Designs

October 01, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective

Q: What is Birdy27 Designs? Can you briefly describe your business for us?

A: The actual name of my company is ALA International and it is the home of Birdy27 Designs. Birdy27 Designs: Handmade & Graphics is one division of ALA INT. (Birdy27 Music will be the next division, I believe. I am also a vocalist and a songwriter.) I split Birdy27 Designs into two categories because my handmade items and my graphic designs for imprinting on tees, other apparel, mugs, stationery, etc. are so different. Birdy27 Designs began with slogans and graphics. About 8 years ago I started offering my designs on several large print-on-demand online marketplaces. Spreadshirt.com was the first. It focuses on t-shirts, hoodies, and other apparel. Zazzle.com gave me the opportunity to offer stationery as well as tees, so I started designing invitations, save-the-date cards, greeting and note cards, etc. Those sites are still money makers for me. I then created a line of super cute tees and one pieces for babies and began selling at a market on the upper west side. The tees were printed in India using my custom color combos and my designs and slogans. However, due to the high minimums required, that line ended. I continued selling kids' tees, but changed the model to blanks and silk screening.

Then something interesting happened. I started hearing about Etsy and, at that time, the focus on was handmade items and vintage. I had some experience with crafting. My grandmother knitted and crocheted and my mother is an extraordinary knitter and seamstress. She taught my older sister and I how to sew, knit, and crochet a bit. I continued sewing and used to make all of my own clothes. After relocating to NYC, I stopped all handmade activity and concentrated on performing and writing. So it was a huge surprise to me that I wanted to knit again. I debuted my hats and scarves in fall 2010, I think, and they sold well. After that, it was on! I soon added crocheted items to the mix and started creating my own designs.

The cornerstone of Birdy27 Designs Handmade is my line of chunky, funky, and fabulous yarn-based fashion accessories. I design, knit, and crochet chunky and uber chunky hats, ear warmers, cowls, neck warmers, and scarves. The response to these warm and cozy statement pieces has been a revelation! I search all over for quality yarn and am drawn to neutrals like charcoal gray, a light warm brown, and oatmeal. I also include pops of color like cranberry, purple, and heather green. Some pieces are unisex like my Sasha chunky skullies and some are utterly feminine like my biggest seller, the Tasha chunky slouch with a big coconut button and maxi flower. My designs are easy to wear--you can put them in your bag, grab them, put them on and be toasty while looking stylish and fab! They won't snag on every little thing and will last several seasons. I stand by my work and have had many satisfied customers.

Tasha_Chunky_Band_Slouch_Medium_With_Maxi_Flower_Barley.jpg.jpg

Chance-Maxi-Chunky-Slouch-with-Band-and-Fold-up-Brim-and-Naylor-Maxi-Chunky-Scarf-with-Fringe-Oatmeal-Angled-View.jpg

Q: Some artisans develop their products to meet consumer needs, while others craft products based on things and/or experiences that inspire them. What is the inspiration behind your business?

A: Creativity is at the heart of everything I do! I know in my heart I was born to create. It doesn't matter if I'm acting, writing, singing, songwriting, playwriting, graphic designing, writing slogans, writing a comic strip, dancing, creating easy choreography for my music classes, knitting, crocheting or building my business. When I'm creating, I'm happy! Although I can't attribute my love of performing to anyone in my family, I credit my craftiness to my grandmother and especially my mother. Seeing my mom create such beautiful clothes and accessories for herself and her family really inspired me. I spent countless hours in fabric stores with her--when I wasn't at the tennis courts with my dad--and, well, I learned a lot. Even though I took a long break from sewing and knitting, I now realize that they were always with me. It's like nothing ever leaves you. It's always there, lurking, waiting to come out and bring you closer to who you truly are.

Q: Oftentimes, each artisan has a different strategy and objective for their business. What are the next steps for you and your business?

A: My business has changed so much since its inception and it continues to evolve. In addition to creating more fabric-based apparel and accessories, I'm designing clutches and bags that I'll debut this fall. I'm designing fabric and will begin offering it online at Spoonflower.com soon as well as adding it to my fabric pieces. Jewelry is next! I'm designing a line which I hope will be ready for the public in 2016.

Although the handmade arm took over and has been growing every year since, I still have love for the t-shirt and stationery biz and hope to offer more of those items in the near future. Eventually I plan to start a music, video, TV, and film production company. I'm working really hard and sacrificing a lot. I'm also realizing that fulfilling my dreams isn't always easy, but there's nothing more rewarding!

I want to build something for myself and my family, something that is uniquely me. I want it to support me, help me help others, and be a conduit for anything that I want to explore. My dream is to do everything I'm capable of doing and become financially independent in the process.

Q: Can you tell us some of the partners you have made? Retail stores where we can find your product?

A: Textures by Nfertiti in my hometown of Detroit has been carrying a selection of my hats and cowls during the colder months. A limited selection will be at Holly's Heart by Hand in Greenpoint, Brooklyn starting next month and I may be teaching some knit and crochet classes there. I'll also be on the local NYC craft market scene soon. Look for my schedule on Instagram (@birdy27designs), Facebook (@birdy27designs), and Twitter (@birdy27). By the way, the Birdy27 Designs newsletter is finally ready to go! It'll keep my old and new fans informed regarding where I'll be and where they can get their fabulous B27 gear!

Q: As many artisans look to grow and further develop their businesses, do you have some advice that you can share with fellow artisans?

A: Yes! Don't do what I did! LOL! Don't fool yourself into thinking anything other than following what's in your heart will do. Don't delay. When you identify what you love, start doing it as quickly as possible! Well, until the internet took off, it wasn't possible for the majority of indie artisans to build businesses on their own. But now that it IS possible and you know you have the passion and the talent, starting doing what you love and see where it takes you. During this journey, I've continued performing, I've done things I never dreamed of doing, and I've gone back to doing what my mama taught me. LOL! Although it's a lot of work, it's been pretty amazing. So get YOUR party started!

Special thanks to Alicia for sharing with us. You can find her products showcased on her Etsy shop at www.birdy27designs.etsy.com. And, details of her special product GIVEAWAY are below, as well as directions on how to enter!

Alicia is generously giving away her signature Lorey Chunky Ear Warmer with Coconut Button and Maxi Flower in charcoal gray and white. (Valued at $45!) This is one giveaway you do not want to miss, especially if you are looking for holiday presents...winning one of these might help you check off a friend or loved one!

To enter the giveaway, please like Alicia's Facebook Page and/or follow Birdy27 Designs on instagram @birdy27designs

Enter to WIN Birdy27's here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Entry period ends at 11:59pm on Thursday, October 15th!

DIY: Upcycled Skirt

September 28, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective

It is that time of the year again and we find ourselves transitioning into Fall. We go into our closets, take out the sweaters and start wearing layers. As I went into my daughter’s closet and found a few things to donate, I found a couple of pants that still fit her at the waist but are short at the ankles. So I thought to turn them into a skirt, which became the idea for this post! Note that you can do this project with your own, adult size pants. You will need:

A pair of old pants

Your sewing machine

Fabric scissors

Seam ripper

Coordinating thread

Basic sewing skills

1.a. Decide where you would like your hem height to be (above or below the knee, etc) and mark it. Lay the pants completely flat on a flat surface. Cut the legs off where you marked the leg. Be careful to cut in a “curve” and not straight across (image above)

1.b. Use your seam ripper to take apart the seam on the inside leg. When you get to crotch area, carefully rip the seams as close to the zipper as possible. It may take a little time to do this but it will be worth it. Keep the bottom part of the legs that you just cut off for the next step.

2.a. Use your scissors to cut open the legs (the pieces you just cut off) along one of the seams (side or inseam, it doesn’t matter). No need to rip the seams, just cut as close to the seam as possible. The top part of the pants (which will become your skirt) will have two sort of flaps, at the front and back, in what used to be the inseam of the leg and crotch. Lay the pants flat, overlap the crotch flaps one on top of the other and put one of the pieces of fabric from the cutout legs (legs you cut off) under the opening. Make sure the flaps are on top of that piece of fabric, laying flat, fold in the edges and carefully pin the layers together.

3.a. Time to sew! Top stitch along the pinned folded flaps. You can use a thicker, contrasting thread color for fun - you gotta show off your work, right? I used a couple strands from a DMC embroidery flos s. Cut the excess fabric on the wrong side of the garment (middle image above).

3.b. Repeat steps 2.a through 3.a to finish the back of the skirt. Once front and back are finished, your skirt is ready! You can wash and dry it to fray the hem.

OPTIONAL:

Step 2.a. optional: Instead of using the cut out leg to insert under the opening at the front and back of the skirt, you could use a different fabric to add contrast. Maybe use a patterned fabric or different color fabric but you should find something that is the same fabric weight as the rest of the skirt.

Step 3.b. optional: You may decide to finish the hem differently. You can fold in the hem and top stitch it but you must remember to add an extra 1.5” to 2” hem height when cutting the pants on step 1.a. You can also top stitch lace or ribbon at the edge of the hem. However, it must be a narrow width as your hem is curved and the lace or ribbon will lay flat, possibly producing a puckered effect.

Now that your skirt is ready, wear it, layer it with tights this Fall and strut it around next Summer. You will be so happy with the result and best of it all, you did it all yourself and reused a piece from your closet. This is a great project to reuse your favorite pair of pants and to create a unique piece of clothing you can wear all year around. Enjoy it, have fun and happy sewing!

Natasha K.

ETSY // FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM

Part II DIY Fall Kitchen Patchwork Trivet

September 25, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective

Last Friday we demonstrated a tutorial of how to make a patchwork trivet for your kitchen. Today we will finish it up with part II. If you missed part I you can find it right here. I know with the change of weather I am ready to start having hot coffees and warming teas.

Last week's last step was making the patchwork top part of the trivet. It should look like this.

1. The bottom row is sewn to the middle row, be sure to match seams and press with steamy iron. Then sew the middle row to the top row. Repeat same steps.

2. SQUARE IT UP. This means you need to cut the sides to make sure it is even. It's ok if it ends up being smaller than 9" square or not a complete square.

3. Step 3 you are going to start making the quilt sandwich. Take your wool, place your batting on top of that, then your trivet top on top face up.

4. Pin the layers together and sew along the seams. You can use regular straight pins or basting pins. It's good to use a Walking Foot but if you don't have one that's ok.

5. Attaching the bias tape binding. When you first start to attach it you need to fold over one short end raw edge about a half inch.

Be sure to fold the short raw edge as above.

6. Sew a half inch seam allowance around all of the edges.

7. Fold raw edge and wrap to top side of trivet. Pin.

8. Sew an edge stitch. This is a stitch right along the grey binding.

Step 9. Done! Have a cup of tea!

If you have any questions please let me know. Next tutorial will be the Apple Picking Tote on October 16th.

Have a lovely weekend!

Tracey Toole

www.traceytoole.etsy.com | www.traceytoole.com

Three ways to embrace your imperfect wabi-sabi life

September 21, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective

Wabi-sabi is the Japanese aesthetic of finding beauty and authenticity within imperfection and the natural cycle of growth and decay. It embraces the flaws and wear that come with time and use. It reminds us that everything is impermanent and we must appreciate it while it exists. This thought process can be applied to our lives in order to help us embrace and appreciate our imperfections.

1. Accept yourself. Appreciate your strengths, your joys, your weaknesses and fears. They are part of what makes you - you. You can affect change in your life if you truly wish to, but first you must accept yourself and love yourself because of your imperfections, not instead of them. This allows you the freedom to make decisions from a place of love and strength. It also allows you to accept that everyone is imperfect, which fosters compassion and patience.

2. Get perspective. Understand that the illusive definition of perfection does not exist. It is a relative and intangible concept. Instead, enjoy the beauty inherent in your imperfections. Embrace your own voice and style. Find confidence and let it shine. Your imperfections are what make you authentic and interesting.

3. Happiness comes from within. If you are dissatisfied with life, you cannot buy satisfaction. If you want to improve your life, you cannot purchase your way to perfection. If you want happiness, you cannot get it from another person. That’s a slippery, unending slope that constantly leads to new levels of distraction and misery. The only way to be content with your life is to look inward and accept yourself as a flawed being. Once you can do that and still believe you’re “good enough”, you no longer need to feel disappointment about the fairy tale of perfection.

Shawn Carney Art
https://www.etsy.com/shop/shawncarneyart

DIY: Fall Patchwork Kitchen Trivet Tutorial

September 18, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective in "tutorial", "Tracey Toole", "sewing"

It's National Sewing Month! Did you know that? Did you know it was President Regan who started National Sewing Month in 1982. He wanted to celebrate and honor the importance of home sewing in the United States. If you want to learn more about National Sewing Month check out the National Sewing Month website. However I am here to show you how to make a Patchwork Trivet just in time for the beginning of tea and soup season. This is a good project for a beginner or intermediate but you do need to know how to use a sewing machine.

Materials:

scissors or rotary cutter

pins / iron

double wide bias tape

cotton woven fabric scraps adding up to 9" square

Insul Bright batting

wool - I use Mary Flanagan wool that comes in beautiful colors and patterns

1. Cut your cotton woven fabric scraps into 3" squares. I used 3 different patterns/colors.

2. Arrange your squares into the design you would like for the top part of the trivet.

3. Once you decide on your design, take 2 squares and lay them face to face, pin them and sew 1/4" seam allowance on one side.

5. Remove the pins and with a hot iron and the back side facing up, press the seam to the darker fabric side.

6. Arrange your pieces again into your desired design. You can see in my photo I sewed 6 pieces together to create 3 2 patch blocks. My design is 3 swatches across, 2 are sewn and the 3rd isn't. Now I will sew a third square onto each row of 2.

Continue this step with the other 2 rows of 2 squares each and this will complete your trivet top.

Next Friday will be part 2 of this tutorial and I will show you how to make your quilt sandwich and complete the trivet.

Have a great weekend! And please ask any questions or comments below!

Tracey