January 6

Friday Roundup: Crafts With a Bite

Hello, all! It’s time for the Friday Roundup!

As part of this week’s post, I have a confession to make: I really enjoy reading what I call “stupid vampire novels.” The good ones are more in the “urban fantasy” genre, but a lot of them, to be honest, are best characterized as “paranormal romance.” (Let’s step back a minute and reflect on the fact that that’s a whole genre unto itself. Right? I know.) I’ve read all but one of the Sookie Stackhouse books (and watched a season or two of True Blood), all of the Anita Blake books, all of the Kitty Norville books (yeah, she’s a werewolf, but it counts), and, yes, that other series that I’ll leave unnamed. That other series could be its own roundup, I’m sure. This isn’t that roundup, though.

As much as I’d love to share some Kitty Norville crafts, there aren’t any (or, if there are, they are well hidden from Google)! I was shocked! We’ll all have to band together, as a Geek Crafts community, and remedy that. ;)

Happily, though, there’s a wealth of Sookie and Anita Blake craftery out there, and I’m here to bring you some of my favorites from Etsy.

First up, these very fun Sookie Stackhouse book cover earrings, by maryfaithpeace. It sounds like she puts a lot of work into these—there’s even “page ridge detail”! You can mix-and-match or buy two alike! I love it!

Next, a charm bracelet, admittedly based more on True Blood than on the books, by Creative Accessories. (Who, by the way, has a coupon code up right now—and offers a plethora of geeky jewelry. Nice!)

Here’s one for any ladies wanting to do some easy cosplay: a Merlotte’s waitress t-shirt, by Scarlett Fabric (also sporting a coupon code!). A couple of red marker dots and this shirt makes an easy Halloween/convention/costume party getup!

If you’re really into the costume, you might want to add another element: scent. Mannaia Frangrances has you covered, with “Bon Temps,” which she describes as “A dark, distinctively southern scent for the vampire, fairy, or fangbanger with taste. Includes notes of magnolia, sweet iced tea, wisteria, bougainvillea, and a good dose of peach.” I’m … kind of intrigued. It sounds nice.

The next one, I admit, I hesitated before deciding to post. I’m a little tired of the “Keep Calm and Carry On” thing—it’s a fun historical reference, but, for the time being, it’s probably been played out. I think. Then again, I laughed when I saw this pendant by Red Hot Kitten, and I would totally wear something like it. So maybe there’s a bit of play left in that meme.

Now, on to Anita Blake. Perhaps because she doesn’t have a TV show or a movie, there are fewer Blake-themed crafts out there. But she has a comic (there goes that paycheck), so crafters do have some imagery to work with. Here’s a card holder (ooh, a library card!) with an image straight from the comic, by Japip:

A different print from the comic appears on these earrings, by WenSi Shop. The guns dangling from the photos of Anita make it much easier to identify her, I think. ;)

Alternately, she could look more like the Anita Blake in this print by Tara Fortin—which I love, by the way:

And, finally, to leave you with something just a bit macabre, here is a necklace by Bottled Up Creations, featuring a “hand sculpted human heart” in a bottle, with a note saying “My heart belongs to Jean Claude ♥ [signed] Anita Blake.” This one kind of creeps me out. It probably wouldn’t be everyday wear for me. But Halloween? Oh yes. I would totally rock this necklace on Halloween!

A few of our past vampire-themed craft posts:

December 31

When Worlds Collide

When Worlds Collide

Years ago, a fifth grader walks into her local library and finds a new series about dragonriders on a planet named Pern.

Some years later, another young girl half a world away discovers a series about a planet named Discworld.

Neither knew at the time that these two worlds were on a collision course with each other and would one day meet up in the wizarding world of Harry Potter but they did. That is where I met Muggs and for the past few years have shared back and forth on our respective favorite fandoms. Recently, she began reading Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series and, in return, I began reading Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. We’re both hooked.

Of course, being a crafter, and a geek crafter at heart, I began searching for patterns and crafts related to the new series and found some. One of my favorites is the adorable Swamp Dragon, foun which grows to a length of two feet, especially in the books Guards! Guards! and Men at Arms.

Steph Conley has created a “lifesize” knit pattern for these dragons. I introduce you to Flynn the Swamp Dragon.

Knit in worsted weight yarn, he doesn’t take much yarn do to as she made hers from recycled sweater yarn. A seven inch zipper is sewn into his stomach to turn this into a nice hiding place for special things.

You can find more Discworld crafty goodness on her blog.

 

 

Category: Books, Craft, Sci-Fi | Comments Off on When Worlds Collide
December 30

Friday Roundup: Terry Pratchett

I have just finished reading Terry Pratchett’s ‘Hat Full of Sky’ and I am a great fan of his Discworld knovels so that is what has inspired me to search for Terry Pratchett themed crafts this week. It has been quite a task too, not that many recent ones kicking around to show you so some are a couple of years old but excellent none the less.

***

First up is this amazing mug with the Ankh Morpork Coat of Arms on it made by aethelberga for Ruby Copperhead on Craftster.

***

Second is this adorable set,  made by LunasCrafts on Etsy, of cute crochet Nac Mac Feegles (though I wouldn’t advise calling a Nac Mac Feegle cute if you don’t feel like a fight).

***

Show your love for the Witch of all Witches, Grany Weatherwax, with this delightful necklace made by Moonblush Designs on Etsy.

***

Next up is this stunning silver brooch in the style of Tiffany’s necklace made by Plysperk another Etsy genius.

***

Here is a witty little badge, made by Lou from bookity, inspired by Granny Weatherwax so you can remind every one that you “aien’t dead”.

***

This next craft is both cute geeky and useful craft; It is Luggage. Made by squeakyarmadillo from Craftster.

***

Here is the entire Discworld. in crochet made by June from Planet June.

***

Finally I would like to present to you the cherry on the top of the cake. I litereally did a little ‘squeee’ when I saw this.

Here is a sculpted Nac Mac Feegle Bust made by maxxev on Craftster.

***

Well folks, that is it for this weeks Roundup. I am off to carry on Tiffanys journey by starting to read Wintersmith.

 

December 29

“Having a luck dragon with you is the only way to go on a quest!”

Ohhh, you guys, you are not going to believe this! I found an eReader/tablet cover that looks like the book from The Neverending Story! (Am I dating myself, here? I hope not. I loved that movie when I was a kid and can still quote large swaths of it from memory.)

The cover is made by GrimcatProductions, on Etsy, and it is delightful! As the product description says, “Modern digital book readers and tablets can holds thousands and thousands of books – truly a never-ending supply!”

I’d really like to have one of these, but my Sony Reader Pocket Edition already has a very pretty case (also from Etsy). You’d better believe this Neverending Story cover is on my wish list if I upgrade, though! And then? Maybe I’ll finally read the book. (I’m a terrible librarian, sometimes.)

December 28

Creative Cross-Stitch, Nerdy Needlework

While I haven’t really done any cross-stitching since about the age of eight, I can appreciate it as an arts-and-craft-form. Done properly and on an interesting subject, and it can be pretty damn impressive. (My mother once re-created this iconic La Dame aux Camelias Mucha poster with spectacular results. Just wish I had a photo to show you!) Anyway, tangent aside, I have found some awesome cross-stitch patterns on The Crafty Companion’s Etsy shop. She creates and sells patterns on an array of geek themes from Doctor Who to Game of Thrones, Firefly to Harry Potter. Very cute, not to mention reasonably priced. ($3 per pattern seems like a good deal to me!)

December 24

Twas Knitting Before Christmas

Twas Knitting Before Christmas

Twas knitting before Christmas, when all through the castle
Not a creature was stirring, not even a thestral.
The stockings were hung in the Great Hall with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The professors were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of butterbeers danced in their heads.
And Dumbledore dreaming of knitted socks,
And Hagrid of having cakes as hard as a rock.

When out on the staircase there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Past Filch and Mrs Norris who ran mad as hatters
To find that Professor Staarkatt had yarn and a pattern.

Fresh off the needles in various colors
Each pair just what the head of houses would order.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But miniature house scarfs to hang from your ears!

Burgundy and gold or green and silver
Other house color combinations so familiar
All it takes is needles in size zero
And a bit of perle cotton for your rows

“Now Hufflepuff! now, Gryffindor! Ravenclaw and Slytherin!
A wonderful way to finish your Hogwarts gift giving!
To the top of the towers! to the ends of the hall!
Now knit a pair! Knit two pair! Knit them for all!

As she posted the pattern, Professor Staarkatt did shout
“Make sure there’s a pair for McGonagall and Sprout!”
But I heard her exclaim, ‘ere she apparated out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all and just knit through the night!”