spring 2011 press kit

S'Mores on a Stick

Classic childhood treats get a grown-up makeover courtesy of Cathie Filian! Marshmallows placed onto cookie sticks then coated in candy melts and crushed graham crackers are the treats that everyone will be raving about at parties. They're easy to eat and share — with no gooey mess. For presentation with eye-appeal, adhere colorful paper leaves to each stick.

Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:30 minutes

Ruffled Accessories

They're flirty, feminine and fabulous! Ruffles are one of Cathie Filian's hot trend predictions for spring. Give pillows, jackets, scarves, purses and more an instant touch of girly glamour with her ruffled pin-on flowers. Slightly vintage, yet totally modern, these hand-sewn accessories bloom with whimsy and elegance. Another way to flaunt this trend-setting look is to sew ruffled detailing onto a plain T-shirt or tank top.

Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:1 - 2 hours each

Carved Candles

Erica Domesek, a current member of the Sharpie® Squad, has a bright crafting idea for spring. Transform ordinary pillar candles into one-of-a-kind luminaries with exquisite dimensional designs. First, hand-carve the designs onto each candle. For spring, think botanical or natural motifs — leaves, flowers, feathers or birds. Then, color each carved design with Sharpie® Paint Markers for a pop of personality, depth and brilliance.

Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:1 hour

Lacy Knit Ascot

Vickie Howell knitted the next big thing for yarn-loving fashionistas — an adorable ascot. When it's time to trade in that big, chunky winter scarf for something big on style and more in-tune with the harmonies of spring, make this your go-to accessory. Featuring a lacy, open-weave design, this beautifully knit ascot is lightweight, airy and a breeze to wear paired with a T-shirt and jeans or your favorite dress. Everyone will notice how amazing it looks!

Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:Weekend project

Trinkets & Treasures Chandelier

Bright colors and a playful attitude express the Crafty Chica's mood for spring. Always eager to get crafting, Kathy has created a retro-chic chandelier that's embellished with plenty of cool and kitschy craft components – buttons, beads, charms, paper, yarn, ribbon and more. Its design is exciting, vibrant and wonderfully energetic. The moment it's hung in a room, the entire space instantly lights up with personality!

Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:CRA2 hours plus drying time FT

Dazzle Diva Lampshade

Ready, set, drama! This lively lampshade crafted by Kathy Cano-Murillo combines her quintessential love of color with her unique embellishing ideas. It's a mixed media masterpiece that's all about fun. Fabric, yarn, trims, beads, buttons, glitter, paper and more come together to create home decor that's bold and expressive.

Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:Weekend project

Romantic Peasant Top

Drew Emborsky is confident that crocheted apparel will be making its way to the fashion forefront this spring. The Crochet Dude® is setting the trend with his creatively crocheted peasant top. Horizontal bands of printed fabric are connected with exquisite crocheted detailing. The crocheted effect is subtle, but makes a big statement as part of the top's overall design. It's bohemian chic meets downtown boutique!

Skill Level 3: Experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:Weekend project

Denim Floral Necklace

Give an old pair of jeans new life by upcycling the denim to craft a sensational statement necklace! This is exactly what Margot Potter did when designing and creating her gorgeous floral necklace for spring. Known to be an impatient crafter, she used a papercrafting machine to easily cut the denim floral shapes then applied fabric paints to create a captivating and colorful effect on each denim flower.

Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:1 hour

Redwork Embroidered Apron

Embroidery is on Jenny Hart's mind for spring. Her signature embroidery style, which is slightly unconventional and always visually appealing, comes through on this redwork embroidered apron. To make it, use a ready-made or hand-sewn apron, then embellish it by creatively combining embroidery transfers. Bold red embroidery floss against a solid-color background makes the design pop. What a refreshingly fun take on traditional art!

Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:2 hours

Embroidery Hoop Photo Collage

Jennifer Perkins offers a creative way to display favorite family photos! Round embroidery hoops become frames for fabulous family photo collages created with printable computer fabric. Jennifer chose brightly colored background fabric to give the cut-out photos graphic appeal, while adding details such as decorative stitching, beads and crystals to make a lasting personal impression.

Skill Level 2: Some experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:Weekend project

Pack-A-Picnic Quilt

There's no better way to enjoy a spring or summer picnic than to share it with someone special on a lovely handmade quilt! Susan Winget's colorful and charismatic quilting fabrics are pieced together in a lively pattern that truly has timeless appeal. What makes this quilt even more special is its functional design. A pair of loops on the back of the quilt allows it to be rolled up and tucked away for easy carrying to and from your picnic destination.

Skill Level 3: Experience necessary
Approximate Crafting Time:Weekend project

Kathy Cano-Murillo

Better known as the Crafty Chica (CHEE-kah)®, Kathy celebrates life through art and inspires others to do the same. With glitter in hand, Kathy finds herself inspired by objects. She says, "I'll see items and feel like they are calling out to me to be embellished!"

Erica Domesek

Erica's creative motto is "I see it, I like it, I make it." This reflects her belief that you can find inspiration anywhere and transform what you see into something fabulous to wear or use. Erica states, "My eyes are always open and on the prowl for inspiration."

Drew Emborsky

Crocheting since the age of five, Drew – The Crochet Dude® – has turned his lifelong hobby into an expanding empire. "I'm inspired by the community of crocheters that I interact with daily online or in local stitching groups," Drew proudly proclaims.

Cathie Filian

When Cathie's not in front of the camera, you just might find her shopping for necklaces, her favorite accessory. Cathie says, "I love necklaces! I love making them, buying them and re-crafting old ones into new designs."

Jenny Hart

Teddy bears and bunnies may be cute, but when it comes to her personal embroidery designs, Jenny feels that robots, tattoos and pinups are more her style. When asked about upcoming trends for Spring 2011, her eager response is, "Embroidery, of course!

Photo Credit/Courtesy of Kenneth B. Gall

Vickie Howell

Family life, pop culture and music provide constant inspiration for Vickie, a knitting expert with an eco-aware attitude. When it comes to fashion, purses and scarves are her accessories du jour. "They can both transform an otherwise plain outfit," Vickie explains.

Jennifer Perkins

Jennifer sees decorative possibilities in almost anything. But when she sees vintage fabrics, furniture or jewelry, her creative ideas really take shape. Jennifer says, "I walk away from every flea market, antique mall and thrift store inspired."

Margot Potter

"Eventually a crafty person just makes their own trends and doesn't worry about what is in or out," says Margot. It is this carefree, follow-your-heart aesthetic that makes her such a fun, fabulous and dynamic personality in the crafting community.

Susan Winget

From modest beginnings in a small art studio 25 years ago, to her widespread success and popularity today, Susan's artwork continues to gain admiration and acclaim. Her designs can be found on fabrics, calendars, dinnerware – even children's books. "I'm amazed to see how far we've come," Susan says.