• Crochet Today's Crochet Confection cake pattern (PDF download) is, at 4"x8", life-sized. It's an easy, single-tier cake that you can display on a stand over a form.
• Berroco's Buttercream is also life-sized, but this one is a tiered cake with flowers; it can be used to store dishes. It's made in their Ultra Alpaca, but any other worsted-weight yarn should work just as well.
• On the miniature side, there are the Norma Lynn Cake Sachets. Several of the designs here, like the Two-Tier Cake and the Clumsy Cake, seem wedding-appropriate, though they're part of a collection of desserts. The second page of cake sachet patterns has a triple-tier wedding cake with flower toppers and ruffled trim.

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• Bethany's Start your own worm composting bin
• Create a compost pile in your back yard, also by Bethany
• Francesca's Make a compost bin from shipping pallets
• Anna's 163 items to add to your compost

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The pixelated look of old-school, low-res video games lends itself nicely to crafting: recognizable depictions can be made with a series of modular squares in the right colors. Any medium that uses elements with an equal height and width will work, so there are some especially fun things done in cross stitch, single crochet, perler beads, and square mosaic tiles.

If you'd like to try something like this, please join me after the break for some mosaic-making links and tips.

Making a mosaic is as simple as sticking tiles (or other ceramic or glass elements) to a surface like a board or a cement tabletop, then adding grout to fill in the spaces between the tiles.

Beware: something like this is much more difficult than it looks, particularly when it isn't a free-form design. Start with a labeled drawing, work from the center, and check and double-check your progress. Expect the whole thing to take several days, between the time needed for laying out the mosaic itself, and the time it takes to dry and cure between steps.

Even if you're getting the right colors into the places where you want them, you'll still have to be careful to line the edges up to be as square as possible, so your mosaic doesn't look haphazard. There are tools to help, some of which (the tiny white plastic cross-shaped guides) can be seen in the photos on the second page of comments at Craftster.

On the other hand, because you're using square tiles to represent pixels, you really shouldn't need a glass nipper for a project like this. (Many online tutorials recommend them, but they're only necessary if you need to break tiles into other shapes.)

HGTV has covered mosaic projects many, many times. Two basic tutorials that use a process similar to that used to make the Yoshi mosaic are this mosaic wall hanging by Laurel True, and Laura Hesser's "mosaic tiled table makeover."

If you need more information, or would like to see a demonstration, Expert Village has a series of videos detailing techniques and tips for working with glass mosaic tiles like the ones used to make Yoshi.

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Berroco, the popular yarn company, releases several new yarns just about every season. Because they're a leader in the category of fashion yarns -- that is, those you might use to make a special-occasion top with a bit of flash, or a fancy scarf that isn't necessarily intended to keep you warm -- their products are often complex, and relatively expensive and delicate. It might not be practical to make a full garment out of some of them.

Fortunately, Berroco is also known for their large archive of free patterns. Their most recent releases are small fashion accessories that you can make out of delicious yarns like glittering Lumina and textural Seduce... without breaking your budget.

My two favorite patterns from the latest update are Lurema and Scarfina. A close look suggests that they're actually essentially the same pattern, written for two different yarns: both are long (64"), slender (5") lace scarves. Lurema is shown as a head-wrap, while Scarfina is depicted as a belt, but you should be able to wear either of them either way: just choose your favorite yarn and run with it.

You may also be interested in Hedda, a small crocheted headband made in two colors of Linen Jeans, which was part of the same recent pattern update.

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When "Partners in Crime," the first official episode of Doctor Who's current season, aired in the UK back in early April, a friend suggested to me that crafty types would soon be all over the alien of the week. Because they're made primarily from human fat, the Adipose are a bit icky in concept. In action, though, they're adorable: little white globules with limbs, quirky smiles, and sweet dispositions.

Erika, of My Imaginary Boyfriend, engineered a great Adipose sewing pattern, and she's offering it for free; detailed instructions for making it up can be found on the Livejournal community Crafty TARDIS. The pattern calls for white polar-fleece (1/2 yard makes several dolls), stuffing, an iron-on transfer pen, black and white embroidery floss for the face, and a few other supplies.

We've written about Doctor Who-related crafts before, but this is much cuter than a crocheted Dalek. Still, I wonder how long it will last, given the news that the BBC is sending trademark-related take-down notices to some people who post free knitting patterns based on the show. You might want to grab it while you can, if you're interested.

(Also, see CraftyCrafty's take on the controversy.)

[via Jenny at Craft.]

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A lot of people sell clothing on eBay, and a few years ago, I was a frequent buyer. But I often found myself disappointed in my purchases. Nothing sticks out in my memory like one particular dress: I searched for it for months and was overjoyed to find it... yet excitement turned to horror when I received it. Why? Because although the dress was machine-washable, the seller sent it to me covered in old deodorant. Disgusting!

The more usual experience with unwelcome deodorant stains isn't quite as off-putting: white marks and goo on dark-colored clothing. Still, we all want to keep our clothes looking nice, right? That's why I was so intrigued by the following deodorant removal tips from CasaSugar.

They suggest two possible ways to deal with this nagging issue: dab the stain with white vinegar, then allow it to soak for 30 minutes before washing the garment in the hottest water it can stand; or soak the garment overnight in a mixture of one part water and one part ammonia with a squirt of dish soap, then wash it. Either process should remove the nasty gunk from any affected areas... making your black tank tops presentable once again.

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The other day, I found an interesting and easy decorative glass vase tutorial over at CasaSugar. I thought to myself, "That's pretty cool for around the house, but I bet it would also be perfect as a wedding centerpiece." In fact, it turns out that the project originated at DIY Bride.

This is really as simple as picking up some rub-on transfers you like, along with a clear glass vase that has a smooth surface. After making sure the vase is completely clean and dry, just cut around the transfers you like, then use the burnishing stick that comes in the package to carefully rub designs onto the vase (exactly as you would if you were rubbing them onto paper).

The transfers are sold in almost any store that carries scrapbooking or other craft supplies. Thousands of designs are available, but if you can't find any rub-ons that you like in your area, the DIY Bride post has a list of online resources.

This project is as versatile and stylish as your imagination (for example, the right transfers would make it great for Mother's Day), but this is not exactly a new tip: a few months ago, this concept also ran in the Winter, 2008 issue of Somerset Life magazine, where it was used to decorate glass bottles and jars. Please join me after the break to read more about the appealing ideas that were presented there.

The article was written by the editor of Somerset Life, Jenny Doh, who suggested a few further tips:

• Jars work as well as vases; the lids can be painted and decorated for further customization.
• Coordinating several different colors of rub-on in the same piece can give an interesting look.
• If you use white rub-ons, try filling the jar with something brightly-colored for contrast that will make the white designs pop.
• To pull the look together, consider wrapping ribbon that matches the design's colors around the neck of the vase, bottle, or jar.

You can see some photos from the article at the page for the Winter issue (scroll down to "Tatted Jars"). If you're interested in what you see, back issues of Somerset Life are currently available at their website.

For more fun with rub-on transfers, see Maureen Carter's post about making your own!

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Back in March, I wrote about Hinamatsuri, a Japanese traditional festival celebrating the happiness and growth of young girls. Hinamatsuri is interesting, but it's not a national holiday in Japan: that distinction goes to Children's Day (Kodomo no hi), which was known as Boys' Day until the late 1940s, when it was expanded to include girls. And Children's Day is today!

The most visible symbol of Children's Day to most people is probably the koinobori, or fish kite (sometimes called a koi kite or carp kite). These are colorful windsocks shaped like a long koi. They are usually tied to a bamboo pole, where the wind catches them and makes them look like they're "swimming."

There are a few legends attached to why the koinobori are displayed, but most relate to the koi being energetic and courageous in the way it goes against the current, leaping out of the water when it swims. The koi becomes a metaphor for parents' hopes for their children, particularly their sons.

Today is a perfect day for family members to make simple paper or fabric fish kites of their own. After the break, we'll explore some of the history and motifs of this holiday, and check out a variety of related crafts: not just koinobori! We'll also talk about some non-traditional, totally American ways to celebrate the kids in your life.

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Customs and Traditions

• Tango no Sekku?: The Los Angeles-area Venice Japanese Community Center presents a detailed article about Children's Day, explaining that in spite of the re-purposing of the holiday about 60 years ago, most families still celebrate it in the traditional way as Boys' Day. If you are interested in the story behind some of the holiday's other elements, like its traditional foods and the samurai warrior dolls associated with it, this is a great link to check out.
• Children's Day Traditions: Stories for Children Magazine sheds more light on the topic of fish kites and how they are often displayed.
• Japanese Boys' Day: Little Buddha Baby discusses some other ideas about the origins of koinobori: as a sort of ancient "scarecrow" for crop-devouring insects. You'll also find a recipe for pink mochi, a sticky baked rice treat.
• Koinobori: Celebrating the Spirit of Boys' Day: The Japanese-American National Museum site talks about fish kites, how to display them, and the meaning behind the display. You can also purchase pre-made kites at this site.
• Koinobori, Boys' Day, and Children's Day: Ginkoya shares some fish kite photos, including a few related to home decor that show the truly giant scale of some of the kites and offer some creative ideas for using them.

Crafts and activities

• Children's Day, Japan at Activity Village: The best page I've found on the topic, with regard to the number and variety of projects on it (a few of the links below are also listed on this one).
  
  There's a printable coloring sheet that can be cut and glued into a koinobori (the fastest fish kite project on this page), an origami version to make, printable bookmarks and stationery with koi on them, paper samurai helmet and sword projects, and links to numerous educational sites with tons of other downloadable projects and activities related to the topic, like coloring pages and puzzles.
• Children's Day at the Teachers' Asian Studies Summer Institute: A complete educational unit based on the holiday and geared towards instructors. It features plenty of ideas for activities, and uses the occasion as a chance to launch a deeper exploration of Japanese culture. This one may be particularly helpful to homeschooling families.
• Fishy Business carp kite tutorial at Recreate.com: A paper fish kite made with individual scales. This is fast and easy, with a colorful and appealing final result. This version uses mostly tissue paper, scrap paper, a small amount of construction paper, glitter, and glue.
• Koinobori tutorial at PBS's Zoom: This fish kite is unlike most of the other tutorials here in that it's made with scrap fabric from an old pillowcase and fabric glue. That means the resulting kite should be comparatively durable.
• Japanese Carp Wind Sock at makingfriends.com: A tutorial that uses wrapping paper and a small wooden hoop for an interesting stylized kite. It's probably the simplest version of this project in this list.
• Printable paper koinobori: Just print out this page (from a Japanese site), then cut out the shapes, fold them in half, and glue them together. You'll wind up with four different styles of streamers that could be used as bookmarks, to make a banner (if you fold them over a thread before gluing them), in a diorama, and so on. You could also try folding them around a thin bamboo skewer, then displaying them traditionally... in miniature!
• Kabuto-Kazari papercraft: A complex paper model from Yamaha. The kabuto-kazari is the samurai helmet traditionally displayed on Boys' Day. Totally cool, but not recommended for younger children, due to its relative difficulty.
• How to Celebrate Children's Day at eHow.com: Suggestions that have nothing to do with the traditional Japanese observance of the holiday. Instead, they focus on making your kids feel special and having a fun time as a family. Although these ideas are geared towards May 5th, they could help make any day into a special day for your favorite child.

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The sun is definitely peeking out from behind the clouds in my corner of the Midwest. All the flowering trees are in bloom, but it's still not quite warm... people within a few hours' drive of me woke up to a "white landscape" the other day. So it seems appropriate to me that Knitty's Spring Surprise, a few extra patterns to supplement the Spring issue, is made up of garments that will get you through a seasonal transition.

There are just two patterns in the Surprise, this time around: Froot Loop, a pair of socks by Kristi Geraci, and Tempest, a button-front sweater by Weaverknits.

Read more about them after the break.

Unlike many of Knitty's recent sock patterns, the Froot Loop socks don't feature unconventional construction, just a stitch pattern that makes a row of rings down the leg and foot. A project like this is convenient at any time of year; wool socks are fine around an air-conditioned house in the middle of summer, as long as you don't live in a subtropical climate. They're downright toasty in winter.

Tempest is also fairly straightforward and, I think, adaptable. It's technically a cardigan, but because it has a skin-tight fit, you probably won't be wearing another layer under it. The designer has spaced the buttons cleverly, to avoid gaps as much as possible, and has made the front larger than the back, to accommodate the bust.

This sweater pattern calls for two colors of a pretty lace-weight wool yarn, but if you're not into wearing horizontal stripes, you could easily make this in a solid color. It would also be simple to lengthen the sleeves, which are designed at 3/4-length. Want a looser fit all over? Make a larger size.

In summary, I think a lot of people will like these two patterns. My only real concern is that some people may not be able to finish Tempest (lace-weight yarn, mostly stockinette stitch, 5 stitches per inch) before it's too warm to wear it: I'm a slow knitter, and I know I wouldn't be able to. That's OK, though... it will be just as nice in September as it is now.

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The Summer (Beltane) 2008 issue of The AntiCraft hit the Internet this week, and this time, it's all about bacon. Yes, you read right. Bacon.

The AntiCraft has made a name for itself as a nifty, slightly edgy craft site, geared towards people who like the darker things in life. So what, then, can you expect from the bacon issue? Something different, that's for sure.

For one thing, there's much more food than usual: Baconhenge (it's exactly what it sounds like), a gingerbread house with bacon shingles on the roof, and several types of bacon-infused sweets. Only two or three items really qualify as crafts... an embroidered, bookmark-like "Bacon of Hate," and a knitted scarf that looks like it's made of bacon (but isn't).

Finally, there's the issue's most dangerous project, a tiara made of bacon; it's dangerous because a protein-bonding enzyme is used to fuse it together. (Humans? Also made of protein.) Any project requiring that much safety gear probably shouldn't be done outside of a lab. Still, overall, this issue is an interesting experiment... in deliciousness!

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Did you know that we have regular columns here at DIY Life? They run weekly, and each has a different focus. Our current schedule is:

• Monday: You're reading it! Living the DIY Life is our list of the previous week's best posts, as well as some top-ranked past material.
• Tuesday: The Scentual Life by Debra McDuffee is all about pampering yourself with home-made bath and body products and other excellent-smelling things. Most recently, Debra wrote about creating effective insect repellents with essential oils.
• Wednesday: In Kiddie Crafts, Francesca Clarke demonstrates simple, fun crafts that small children can do with supervision. The most recent installment addressed using "fingerprint art" to make stationery.

But where are the rest of the columns, you ask -- and what about the best posts of the week? I have carefully hidden them after the break! Click on through to see plenty for your house, yard, and craftiness... as well as a link to the huge collection of eco-friendly posts we put together for Earth Day, 2008. It'll be fun for the whole family.

• Thursday: Kelly Smith's Perpetual Remodeling Syndrome. What does DIY mean to you? If your answer is primarily, "Doing traditionally manly things around the homestead," this may be your favorite column. With characteristic good humor, Kelly tackles topics having to do with renovation and home maintenance. He discussed keeping track of your landscaping tools this week.
• Friday: Avant Yard, by Diane Rixon, is our yard and gardening column. In it, you'll find solid information and fresh ideas for your green thumb. Avant Yard was all about keeping your wisteria in line this week.
• On occasional Fridays, you'll also see Ian Lesnet's amazing electronic wizardry. Lately, he's been demonstrating how to build a digital recorder from simple parts.
• Ryan McFarland's "Re-Crafted" series, in which he demonstrates how to remake old stuff into something new and interesting, also appears on Fridays, but is currently on hiatus.

If any of these topics is relevant to your interests, you'll know when and where to find fresh information about it, almost every week (assuming life doesn't deal a blow, like sickness or a broken computer, to a given column's author).

We have a lot of interesting posts outside of our weekly columns, too. Here are a few of this week's highlights....

Home and garden:

• Bat-proof your house and Make your garden a Certified Wildlife Sanctuary by Bethany Sanders
• Rain barrels made easy by Bill Volk
• Emergency pipe leak repair, Deadbolt hack for heightened security, and Stripped bolt hole thread repair, all by Kelly Smith
• Choosing the right fencing material for your project by Mike Johnson
• Revamp furniture with new hardware by M.E. Williams

Lifestyle:

• Tips for a close shave by Debra McDuffee
• Organic produce wash made with lemon and vinegar by Anna Sattler
• Win a hot-dog-eating contest by Francesca Clarke
• DIY for Earth Day is a collection of some great "green" posts by our entire staff!

I, for one, welcome our new _______ overlords:

• Make an ant farm by Francesca Clarke
• Build an earthworm habitat by Bethany Sanders

Crafts:

• Free pattern: Nintendo Yellow Pikmin felt doll and Crafty Chica's decorative concrete coasters by M.E. Williams
• Using a rock tumbler without the refills by Maggie Vink
• Homemade sidewalk chalk for your little artist by Bethany Sanders
• Create sidewalk art with free stencils by Debra McDuffee
• Recycle an old book, get a new handbag by Francesca Clarke
• Make an organizer out of a pair of jeans and Make a flower brooch from a tape measure by Jamie Dobbs

Our top three posts for this week were:

1. 8 do-it-yourself wedding centerpieces by Anna Sattler
2. Free knit & crochet patterns: the best of October 2007 by M.E. Williams
3. Make your own 100-calorie snacks to go by Debra McDuffee

See you next Monday!

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In my house, there's a small wooden cabinet, somewhat scratched-up, which was given to us by a relative a few years ago. It has strange knobs in the form of faceted acrylic balls; they looked good in my aunt's antique-loaded home, but aren't so great in mine. The plastic parts look cheap to me, and overall, they don't quite suit the style of the cabinet.

So, last night, I took on a fifteen-minute project that I'd prepared for a few weeks ago: I changed the knobs.

The last time I was at The Home Depot, I bought four replacement knobs on a whim. The knobs I found, by Liberty Hardware, cost less than a dollar each; they have a nice design, reminiscent of stylized Japanese cherry (sakura) or plum blossoms (ume). If you don't like my selection, Liberty makes a number of low-cost brass decorative knobs. Some of their designs have a vintage feel.

The photo above is a "before" (taken from a slightly odd angle; this cabinet faces the end of a sofa with about an 18" gap between the two); click through to the break for an "after" and some instructions!

Check for new knobs or drawer pulls in home improvement centers like The Home Depot and Lowe's, but also in smaller hardware stores, and even in places like the Anthropologie chain of boutiques. There's a wide selection out there that will allow you to change and customize the look of just about any drawer or cabinet.

It only takes a minute to get inside the drawers and the door and unscrew the old knobs; all that is usually required to put on the new ones is a screwdriver. Most knobs come packaged with appropriate bolts (the knob acts as a "nut"). The head of the bolt will usually be inside the drawer or door, almost flush against the front, so it may help to clean the drawers out first.

Unscrew it, pop off the knob, then push the new bolt in from the interior of the drawer and screw the knob back onto the front. The procedure is basically the same with drawer pulls, except that there will be two screws instead of one and you'll want to try to tighten them evenly.

When I was done, I found that the cabinet had originally been varnished with the knobs in place. The old knobs had a wider base than the new ones, so there's a little varnish-ring spot, with an unfinished center, around each new base. This is mostly in the shadow of the new knobs, but it definitely shows if you look closely. (This picture shows it much more readily than the naked eye, because of the flash.)

I'm not worried about the look of the unfinished spots: the piece is never well-lit, and I eventually plan to refinish it in either red or black lacquer, or a dark green stain. At that point, I may also paint the knobs themselves with enamel. But that's a while in the future, and in the meantime, I think the look of the cabinet has been pleasantly improved. I really hated those acrylic knobs!

(This post has been edited since publication to correct a link.)

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