special report

Crafts 'n things

October 2006 Issue
Readership: crafters of all ages

SUBMISSION SPECIFICS from their guidelines:

“We do consider any project that fits into the style of our magazine….Some of the main criteria that we are looking for in projects for publication include:

• Quick and easy projects that generally take less than 5 hours to complete.
• Projects that are made from a limited amount of items that can be easily located at retail stores. Extensive material lists are discouraging for crafters.
• Projects that have wide appeal or follow the most recent trends.”

SUBMISSION PACKAGES MUST INCLUDE:

1. Photo of the item(s).
2. Complete typed instructions, including the address, phone number, and website of each source listed.
3. Your U.S. and e-mail addresses.
4. Both daytime and evening phone numbers.
5. A self-addressed, stamped envelope for a reply to your submission.

For e-mail submissions, please include instructions as well as a digital photo (we are only able to read bitmap files). We will respond to you via e-mail. Email editor Abby Foster at afoster@amostcraft.com.

"Be sure to write your instructions in a detailed manner, as if you were teaching a class. Use a current issue as a guide. Be sure to include the following:

• time it takes to complete the project;
• complete list of materials used (include: brand names and ® or ™ as provided on packaging.)
• all steps taken to complete the project;
• all patterns needed;
• any illustrations that may make the instructions more clear. (Note: If drawing a cross-stitch or needlepoint chart, draw one symbol for each color, using a black grid and black ink. DO NOT color in chart squares.)"

Responds in four weeks (accepts calls for status check AFTER four weeks) Pays on Publication. Prefers to buy all rights. Send manuscripts to:

Crafts 'n Things
Amos Craft Publishing
2400 Devon, Suite 375
Des Plaines, IL 60018-4618

ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC ISSUE

Contents:
CRAFTS ‘N THINGS
October 2006

Vintage Halloween Party – This section include invitations, decorating items, party favors and recipes.
* Tombstone Tower (craft comes from manufacturer) Cupcake stand with ghost and tombstone krispie treats.
* What’s Shakin (craft/recipe comes from manufacturer) gelatin treats.
* Eyes Say Surprise (craft/recipe comes from manufacturer) Boo shaped cookies.

Boo Buddies Candle Décor (Design by Pam Sicely) Cat shaped decoration for a candle. List paint by brand and color. Separates “YOU’LL NEED” section by three categories: Surface & Paints, Embellishments, and Tools & Supplies. Includes five steps under “WHAT TO DO.” Craft requires cutting pine into cat shape, drilling holes, and painting.

Halloween Party Treat Bags (by Mary Ayres). Paper treat bags. “YOU’LL NEED” is divided into Surface, Papers & Embellishments, and Tools & Supplies. Includes four steps. Mostly gluing and cutting paper. Uses stickers, ribbon, hemp cord, glue guns – basic craft and scrapbooking supplies.

Primative Halloween Luminaries [by Mary Ayres] Old cans made into luminaries. YN section divided into Surface & Paints, Embellishments, Tools & Supplies. Has 4 steps. Mostly painting, cutting metal shapes, and attaching metal decorations.

Vingtage Felt Witch Favors [by Mary Ayres] Felt witch brooms and hats. YN divided into Fabric & Embellishments and Tools & Supplies. Requires hand sewing. WHAT TO DO divided into two – broom and hat – with 3 and 4 steps each.

Vintage Mini Treat Buckets [by Mary Ayers] Six steps to turn peat pots into painted and trimmed buckets.

How To Create Original Halloween Decorations [Tips from DIY Network].

Spider Web Tablecloth [from manufacturer] Silly string and paint.

Happy Halloween Invitations [by Cindy Smith] YN divided into “Papers” and “Tools & Supplies.” Four Steps. Uses scrap book papers.

Treat Bag [by Cindy Smith] Card stock headers to top bags of treats. Uses scrap book papers. Five steps.

Primative Kitty Treat Tote [by Mary Ayres] Felt tote bag with flat felt cat doll. Uses sewing machine. Three steps to make Cat. Five steps to make bag.

Spider Favor Boxes [Craft from Store Promotion] Papier-mâché boxes become spiders with chenille legs. Four steps.

Spooky Pillows [by Kathleen Paneitz] Simple outline-embroidery on homemade pillows. Five steps.

Boo-tiful Tray [by Kelly Hoernig] Wooden tray trimmed with wooden letters, decorative paper and paint. Four steps.

Recipes for Candy Corn Popcorn Balls and Caramel Apples. Very short promo recipes.

Trendy Knitting

Cable Knit Hip Belt [manufacturer]
Sassy Shrug
Pom-Pom Hat
Felted Clutch (Design by Jenny Bezingue (most involved project).
Classic Skinny Scarf
Bunny Tail [Reprint from knitting book]
Mega Scarf
Ruffled Scarf

Knitting projects are mostly small and quickly done – some for beginners. Knitting section is followed by short “how to knit” tutorial.

Jewelry Boutique

Sweet Sorbet Necklace and Earrings [by Katie Hacker/Beadalon]
Fiesta Necklaces and Earrings [by Katie Hacker/Beadalon]
Charm Bracelet [by Kelly Anne Grundhauser] charm bracelet, shrink plastic for charms, jump rings, stamps. Three steps.
Light rose chandelier earrings [by Katie Hacker] preset project.
Silver shimmer bracelet and earrings [by Katie Hacker/Beadalon]
Single- and double-strand necklaces [by Mary Ayres]
Pearl chain and earrings [by Katie Hacker/Beadalon]
Wavy Lacy Choker and Bracelet [by manufacturer]
Apothecary jewelry organizer [by Kelly Anne Grundhauser] Very retro looking craft uses decorative papers on an apothecary chest.
Threaded crystal rings [by manufacturer]
Wire-framed cuff bracelet [design by Jenny Bezingue] Heavy wire project with pearls and stone beads.
Beaded fabric cuff bracelet [by Mary Ayres] Sewing project.

Pink Marble-ous and Sparkling Ornaments [manufacturer] painted ornaments with beaded hanging wire.

Wooden Spool Ornaments [by Lydia Hays] Painted wooden spools with fabric strip hangers.

2006 Photo Ornament [by Barbara Greve] Requires cutting glass and simple painting.

Santa Ornament [by Lydia Hays] Ornament made from painted shoe polish tin.

Painted Fabric Star Ornament [manufacturer]

Quilted Eyeglasses Case [by Chris Malone] Simple sewing and quilting.

Quilted Pillow with Punch Needle Sunflower [by Chris Malone] Pieced fabric pillow included punch-needle embroidery.

Vintage Baby Quilt [by Mary Ayres] Simple square piecing, appliqué, and simple quilting and embroidery.

Angel Quilt Ornament [by Mary Ayres] Appliqué, quilting and buttons.

Full Moon Art Quilt [by Chris Malone] More complex piecing, appliqué and quilting for small hanging.

Family Memories Quilt [by Kristen Thorburn.] – transfers photos to cotton inkjet paper and secures them to simple cover-up from layers fabric and batting. No real quilting.

I’d Pick You [by Kelly Anne Grundhouser/Paper Salon]
Thinking of You Card [by Alicia Thelin/Stampin’ Up] two card projects with machine embroidery.

Coffee Filter Album [by Kelly Anne Grundhauser] – coffee filters sewn together and decorated with machine embroidery to make unusual shaped album.

Scent-sational Sachets Tea Party

Girls Night In - Recipes from recipegoldmine.com
Lavendar Sachets [Mary Ayres] – simple sewing.

Fancy Christmas Ornaments

Clay Snowball Ornament [manufacturer]
Sugar Cookie CutOuts [from a book]
Mirror Star Ornament [manufacturer]

Simple Rugs – A Single Object done in a variety of media.

Pieced Fabric Rug [by Mary Ayres]
Woven Burlap Rug [by Mary Ayres]
Stamped Drop Cloth Rug [by Mary Ayres]
Retro-Stenciled Rug [by Mary Ayres]
Stenciled Monogram Doormat [by Mary Ayres]

This page last updated on 01 October 2006