GIVEAWAY: Weekend Kits

Weekend Kits has been a longtime funky find! Over the years, Weekend Kits has continued to offer quality craft kits that cover many categories & appeal to crafters of all ages & skill sets. The biggest benefit of purchasing through Weekend Kits is that all the supplies can be found on one site versus wasting time driving around to multiple stores hunting for project supplies.

The new items section is a perfect example of the versatility & selection the site offers. There is a great selection of jewelry making kits for kids, as well as multiple quilt kits for beginners to name just a few. Weekend Kits also offers a large selection of Sublime Stitching embroidery patterns and plush animal sewing kits which I love! (Pictured: Klutz - Jewelry Making Kit for Kids - Dot Jewelry)

And, while it may seem way too early to start thinking about holiday crafting, December is less than six months away. This means that there is no better time than the present to start working on holiday projects. Thankfully, Weekend Kits makes it a bit easier with the numerous Christmas Craft Kits, such as the stocking kits and card making kits. (Pictured: Felt Pillow Kit - Christmas Craft - Colorful Tree)

I think it is so important to encourage the creativity in children. Weekend Kits makes it easy to provide youngsters with all the tools they need to complete a great project. The Beaded Bands Bracelet Kit by Klutz Jewelry is one of the site's best sellers. Order one today...and while you're at it, treat yourself to a project kit, too! Happy crafting everyone!!!

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats JC! ***

PRIZE: One lucky winner will receive a Tree Crewel Embroidery Kit, a 5-Inch Embroidery Hoop, and a pair of Mundial Embroidery Scissors from Weekend Kits.

(items pictured above)

TO ENTER: Visit Weekend Kits & leave a comment on this post noting at least one craft kit you would like to have.

EXTRA ENTRY: Like Weekend Kits on Facebook,

then leave a comment on this post noting

that you have done so.

ENDS: Sunday, August 4, 2013 at 6pm CDT.

Event Sponsor: DMC

Founded in 1746, DMC has been providing crafters with quality products for two and a half centuries. Their products range from needlework threads to stitch-related board games.

DMC also has a wonderful Mentor Program that allows passionate crafters to help keep the art of stitching alive and thriving for generations to come! The DMC Mentor Program is designed to share your love and passion for stitching with a friend, family member, scout troop, class or anyone you think would enjoy stitching as much as you do.

To become a mentor, simply sign up & DMC will provide you with all the tools you'll need - a DMC Cross Stitch Mentor Kit with four mini cross stitch starter kits to be used for your first lesson, a Mentor Design Brochure, a Mentor Pin and Mentor business cards to identify you as an official DMC Mentor.

Their website also features a wide variety of free projects and Emma's blog is regularly updated to include free patterns, craft ideas & much more! Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest

Event Sponsor: Cabbage Rose Quilting & Fabrics

Cabbage Rose Quilting & Fabrics has generously sponsored every indie art & craft event Funky Finds has hosted in Fort Worth, Texas. Considering we will be hosting our seventh event in Fort Worth on November 10 & 11, that shows how owner Karen O'Neill is extremely supportive & generous towards the handmade community. 

Founded in 1997, Cabbage Rose is a beautiful brick & mortar store located at 3000 Montgomery Street. The store is filled to the brim with gorgeous fabrics ranging from Moda to Benartex. They also offer patterns, kits and books for endless projects to keep your creativity flowing. The large space features a terrific in-shop classroom where they host a variety of workshops, classes and space for sewers to spread out and share their treasures.

Following the Cabbage Rose blog, Cabbage Corner, is a great way to stay informed of new products, store happenings, giveaways & more. And, if you do not live in the Fort Worth area, never fear! Cabbage Rose offers tons of fabrics & other products online! Check out the Cabbage Rose Quilting & Fabrics Facebook page for more info, as well.

GIVEAWAY: Weekend Kits

Weekend Kits is a wonderful source for a wide variety of craft kits. There's kits spanning tons of crafts, including embroidery, jewelry making, and scrapbooking. Also, there's kits suitable for children & kits geared more towards adults & more experienced crafters.

Weekend Kits recently added a new line of DIY handbag sewing kits to the Sewing Project Kits section. This section includes kits that allow you to create a messenger bag, tote bag, or a ruffle handbag & each is available in three different color combos. This section also features stuffed animal kits, such as this adorable elephant (pictured below)!

The Card Making Kits section is also growing with the addition of card kits for everyday greetings & special occasions. I love the colors in the Ambrosia Card Kit & the Hello Sunshine! Kit is sure to brighten anyone's day!

As you know, the holidays will be here before we know it. Weekend Kits will soon be adding new craft kits for the holidays to the Christmas Craft Kits section. This is the perfect time to start working on beautiful Christmas Stockings and Tree Skirts! While you're on the Weekend Kits website, be sure to sign up for their newsletter so you will receive updates on new product arrivals & to learn about special offers.

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Crystal! ***

PRIZE: One lucky winner will receive a Blue Finch Tote Bag Sewing Kit (pictured above) AND a Hello Sunshine Card Making Kit (at left) from Weekend Kits!

TO ENTER: Visit Weekend Kits & leave a comment on this post noting a kit you would most like to try your hand at.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Like Weekend Kits on Facebook, then leave a comment on this post noting you have done so.

ENDS: 6pm CDT, Sunday, August 5th, 2012.

All With Love

Established in 2010, All With Love features hand-crafted goods created by the mother/daughter duo comprised of Evelina (mom) and Tiffany (daughter). Having been taught to sew by her grandmother, Evelina has been quilting since she was ten years old. Tiffany specializes in selecting unique fabrics & creating tote bags & other hip accessories. The duo says that their goal is to show others that quilts can be modern and fun.

I was lucky enough to view their products in person at the Funky Finds Spring Fling held in March. I loved all their designs, but was most enamored with the Spring Fox Quilt (pictured above). The fabric glass cases (pictured below) are perfect for protecting your eyeglasses or sunglasses. The well-made totes, available in a variety of modern prints, make great diaper bags, book bags, and all-around junk totes!

Evelina can create any quilt that you can dream up & she says she enjoys consulting with clients on the color and fabric choices. If you are looking for unique items for yourself or for a loved one, All With Love is a great source. Check out the All With Love Facebook page and Tiffany's blog for more information.

E-Course: D.I.Y. Dress Up

The newest e-course from Red Velvet is called D.I.Y. Dress Up. This e-course is written for ladies who want to learn to sew their own clothes! Students learn basic & intermediate sewing skills while creating items of clothing that you'll love to wear. The best part is, you'll learn to fit the patterns to your body. Elsie Larson posted some helpful FAQs on her blog that pertain to this particular e-course.

Martha Pullen Sewing Awards

Martha Campbell Pullen fronts an heirloom sewing business, as well as the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion. She founded & began publishing the magazine Sew Beautiful in 1987 & began sharing her love of heirloom sewing with public television audiences through her Martha’s Sewing Room series, which airs on 73 percent of American PBS stations.

This summer, the company is celebrating the art of sewing in its many forms with the Martha Pullen Sewing Awards! In partnership with F+W Media, Martha Pullen wants to recognize & reward the skills, passion & love that go into creating an item from scratch. To that end, you are invited to showcase your creations by entering their sewing competition that is open from July 1 to October 1, 2011. Seven winners in different categories will win $200 gift certificates to the Martha Pullen store & one Grand Prize winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion, as well as a mention in Sew Beautiful magazine & website.

Whether you were born with a needle & thread in hand or only recently discovered your love for sewing, Martha Pullen wants to recognize & reward your passion. All contest details & guidelines can be found on Martha Pullen's website.

Funky Five: Free Patterns

1. Graduation Teddy from All About Ami

2. Mini-Tent Pattern + Tutorial from Sew, Mama, Sew!

3. DIY Scallop Button Up Skirt from NETTE

4. Stuffed Fabric Turtles from Make It and Love It

5. Robin's Nest from Audrey's Knits

Granny Knits

Every time I visit the Granny Knits website, I want to grab a needle & get to cross stitching! Their bright & cheerful cross stitch kits are fantastic. The 12 bright butterflies make a beautiful wall hanging & the campervan stripe is perfect for any quirky hippie-at-heart. In addition to the kits, Granny Knits offers a variety of patterns, including an adorable laundry bag. If cross stitch isn't your cup of tea, check out the other crafts category that features embroidery, sewing & even lamp making. To round out their extensive offerings, the site also showcases craft books, fabrics, and haberdashery (love that word!). Visit the Granny Knits blog and Facebook page for a variety of project ideas, inspiration, and more. (pictured: Rainbow Heart)

Take Ten: How-To

1. Make a Living Wreath via Hostess With the Mostess

2. Greens, Feta, and Phyllo Tart via Indie Fixx

3. Make a Spring Card via A Million Memories

4. Stitch a Pink & Black Bow Top via Sublime Stitching

5. Beautiful Handmade Bookmarks via Skip to my Lou

6. Make a Mail Organizer via noodlehead

7. Vertical Storage via Sew Many Ways

8. Seeded Paper Bookmarks via Kaboose

9. Create a Fridge Pocket for Small Storage Items via The Idea Room

10. WhipUp.net will soon be releasing Issue 3 of Action Pack, a mini-mag for kids who want to do stuff. This will come in quite handy this summer while the kids are home! Issues 1 & 2 are also available.

The Experience Sponsors

I have been sharing previews of all the talented artists, crafters & designers that will be showcasing their wares at The Funky Finds Experience next weekend. But, no event would be possible without the support of all our wonderful sponsors! Please show these businesses some love for supporting our endeavors to promote handmade goods. More to come tomorrow.

Yelp is a website that connects people with great local businesses. In August 2010, Yelp drew an audience of more than 38 million unique visitors and yelpers have written more than 12 million reviews, making Yelp the leading US local guide for real word of mouth on everything from boutiques and mechanics to restaurants and dentists. Yelp can also be found in the UK, Canada, Ireland, France & Germany. Yelp Mobile apps are available for the iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Palm Pre & Blackberry.

Fort Worth based Cabbage Rose Quilting & Gifts was established by Karen O'Neill in December 1997. What started with only a few bolts of fabric has grown to over 8,000 different fabrics from Moda, Free Spirit, Michael Miller & much more. The shop & website also carries quilting cottons, home decor fabrics, batiks, laminates & flannels, as well as plenty of patterns, kits and books for endless projects to keep you creative and inspired. Cabbage Rose is currently in the process of relocating to a larger space across the street from their current location. Stay tuned for more information regarding all the new exciting things that will be offered in the new store, including a wide range of workshops.

BurdaStyle is a place for people who sew or would like to learn. The goal is to bring the traditional craft of sewing to a new generation of fashion designers, hobbyists, DIYers and anyone looking to create. The website offers copyright-free sewing patterns, step-by-step tutorials, skill sharing, inspiration, project ideas & a community of those passionate about sewing. Each pattern is offered as a downloadable PDF. An accompanying PDF includes instructions, as well as information about sizing, materials, & difficulty level.

Etsy Fort Worth is a collective of artists, crafters & creators with online stores on Etsy.com who promote the benefits of buying local handcrafted goods. The group sponsors the Cowtown Indie Bazaar, a 100% handmade craft show held biannually in Fort Worth to connect artists and their talented work with the community.

ZooTap.com is a social networking site where you make the rules! Connect with like-minded users and make friends around the world. The site is a great place to promote your business or to make some new friends & contacts. Join today & level up at the Zoo!

ArtHash is a site dedicated to the promotion of the arts. The site features artists, galleries, art events, & call to artists from all over the world. Artists & galleries can easily submit to the site gaining valuable free exposure.


For the third year in a row, the 2010 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash will offer up hand-picked, modern handmade goods from over 50 artists, crafters & designers on Saturday, November 20 from 2-8pm. The Bash will also have live DJ music, a free photo booth, two full bars with a restaurant on-site, free DIY crafts, & 50 free goody bags stuffed with top quality handmade swag. Admission is free!

Unanimous Craft is a directory of resources for idie business owners. Users can submit listings to the directory siting a resource they feel would be valuable to other business owners & crafters. All listings are categorized & indexed so new users can easily find them by clicking on a tag or browsing the pre-set categories. Users can also rate & review listings. The site is a great place to find interesting & helpful information, so start browsing today!

Stolen Moments Inn is a scrapbooking, stamping, and/or quilting retreat for you & your best friends. Conveniently located in Maypearl, Texas, the Inn is easily accessed from the DFW Metroplex using either I-35E or I-35W. Six to twelve crafters can enjoy a retreat in this beautiful 1922 Victorian that has been remodeled for retreating comfort. Visit the website for pictures, information & booking information.

Home Ec - Online Sewing Course

Home Ec is an online sewing class perfect for beginners (no sewing experience needed) and those wanting to develop their sewing skills and create 26 awesome projects! This is a "take it at your own pace" class beginning August 10th that includes three Guides, 26 step-by-step Projects with at least one new Sewing Technique in each, and a tips post on How to Invent & Adapt projects of your own! Take a look at all the projects!

Along with daily sewing projects posted on the private class blog, you will have the opportunity to participate in live chats with your classmates and enjoy Q&A time with your teachers. Click here for full details and registration information or e-mail Leigh-Ann Keffer at FreckledNest@gmail.com with questions.

Jay McCarroll's Class @ Spool

This Saturday, September 26, Jay McCarroll will be teaching a Mystery Bag Class at Spool in Philadelphia. You may remember Jay, a Philadelphia native, as the first season winner of Project Runway. Spool currently carries Jay's fabric lines Garden Friends & Woodland Wonderland and his third line, Germania, is due in the shop in early October. When you come to class, Jay will hand you a "mystery bag" full of materials to make a top secret project. He will then guide you in creating a one of a kind piece, sharing his methods of color and fabric selection. It promises to be a wonderful class in creativity and color, so come prepared to experiment and have fun! Class size is limited, so call the shop to reserve your space.

Spool, 1912 South Street, Philadelphia, PA; (215) 545-0755
Saturday, September 26: 2-6PM. $80
Mystery Materials included. You will need to purchase or bring one yard of fabric & thread.

Wearable Arf

Virgie Fisher and Rachele Fisher are a mother-daughter team who share a love of dogs and fabric art. Virgie is a quilt designer and teacher whose wearable art designs have appeared often in the Bernina Fashion show. Rachele’s custom dog clothing has been featured in many luxury pet magazines. The Oklahoma-based authors have a new book out called Wearable Arf featuring 16 fabulous fashions for your darling dog. The book allows you to show off your favorite pup’s personal style with these adorably adorned outfits. Use fanciful embellishments to transform one basic vest pattern into 16 over-the-top costumes for both males and females. Eight projects include outfits for prince and princess, Hawaiian, Mexican, formal themes, cowpokes, grruffiti artists, and astromutts. The book includes full-sized templates for the basic vest pattern in sizes from XS to XL. These pieces are fun to make and even more fun to show off. See lots of great photos on the Wearable Arf Flickr photostream. What are you waiting for? Purchase this book & start creating canine couture with pooch personality!

Make Shop and Studio

Make Shop and Studio is a gem that can be found in the Bishop Arts District of Dallas. The studio offers a wide assortment of classes ranging from sewing basics to screen printing. I bought a sewing machine over two years ago & cannot for the life of me use it. So on May 19 I will be attending the Sewing Basics course and hope to come out with a new love for my machine! The store is owned and operated by Julie McCollough Kim who produces the Urban Street Bazaar, The Pin Show, AND creates her own line of beautiful clothing and accessories. So, even if you are not in the Dallas area, you can still purchase Julie's work online! If you ARE in the DFW area, I urge you to visit Make and take a class and/or shop the boutique that is full of funky products created by various local artisans.

313 N. Bishop Avenue, Dallas, TX 75208

Monday & Tuesday - Closed

Wednesday - Saturday 12p - 8pm

Sunday 12-4pm

ZNE - Liquidation Sale

ZNE, a site where mixed media and indie artists connect, is having a total store liquidation. Their collage packs are filled to the brim with vintage and new goodies, many one-of-a-kind. The packs are listed on Etsy and they are going fast. For every three collage packs purchased, you will receive one free! And, if you’re a ZNE Member, you will receive a $1 refund for every pack purchased. The packs are just $2-$4, so everyone can take advantage of this incredible sale. Vintage paperie, vintage sewing products, vintage toys, vintage dolls, vintage tickets, poker chips, collage sheets, foreign and vintage text, vintage labels, vintage embellishments - they have it all! And, if you're interested in purchasing packs in bulk (30+ packs), you will receive a generous 50% wholesale discount. Simply let ZNE know you are interested in the wholesale discount & go from there.

Embroidered Finds

Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn.

1. MaryJane Boutique features fun embroidered numbers and letters - a fun decorative piece for any child's room.

2. Dominic In Ohio creates beautiful hand-embroidered cards that are works of art. Treat your Mom with one of these cards this Mother's Day (May 10).

3. Here to There offers adorable embroidered tees. The wiener dog and little birdie are fantastic!

4. Crafters will love the embroidered needle books by Jenn Maruska Design. The bookmarks are terrific, as well.

5. Kainkain is a wonderful source for upscale home decor. The Pink Casablanca Pillow Cover is gorgeous and I love the fun High Heels shoe bag.

6. The Daily Pincushion's designs are more like miniature works of art than pincushions. The Cherry Blossoms are gorgeous.

7. Petalouda is the Greek word for butterfly. It is also the name of a shop featuring lovely embroidered clothing for children. I love the turtle hoodie and the tie tank top.

8. Mary's Granddaughter creates sewn, embroidered, and painted art. I really like the Greta Doll, as well as the embroidered piece Greta Is Not Amused.

ReannaLily Designs

Jen Eskridge earned a degree in Apparel Design in 1998 from Louisiana State University. She quickly began working in interior design and ultimately began quilting and sewing for her own company, ReannaLily Designs. Her site features many different patterns, some for sale and some available free of of charge. Seamingly Accurate is a new product allowing you to sew hems, apply trims, quickly make half-square-triangles and more without permanently altering your sewing machine. Her Etsy shop features completed products ranging from beautiful aprons to unique handbags. And the clothing Jen has created for girls are absolutely adorable!

Sew Bettie

Cara and Mark, along with their cute little puppy Bettie, have a fun indie craft company called Sew Bettie. The creative duo recently released a new line of 100% cotton fabrics that was designed in their Chicago studio. Each fabric design is printed in a limited edition of 100 yards and comes with a certificate noting the edition number. The fabrics are sold by fat quarters (about 18" by 21") for $9. The polka dot bulldog print is absolutely adorable! And you can even request custom designed fabric. Now THAT is funky cool! Don't miss the great patterns & tutorials or the DIY Crafty Kits. Receive a 10% discount with coupon code FUNKY.

Warm Biscuit Bedding Company

Warm Biscuit Bedding Company has a wonderful selection of dècor, clothing, and more for children. I love the shabby chic baby furniture that can be customized to coordinate with your nursery dècor and decorating theme. There's lots of great choices for girls bedding, such as the paper dolls set. A friend of mine's daughter loves horses & she would go nuts over the unique pony bedding set. Warm Biscuit'sgift shop has sections based on age groups, making it a bit easier to do your shopping. I love the arts & crafts section that includes sewing and art kits. Don't miss the Christmas section for lots of great finds, too. Enter the November giveaway & you may win a $50 Gift Certificate from Warm Biscuit!