“Search me, we’re just the knockers!”

I loved Jim Henson’s movie, Labyrinth, as a kid. Well, mostly. I do remember being rather scared of the Fireys, and the creepy bit in the rubbish heap. And I’m almost certain I had nightmares about the Bog of Eternal Stench.

Now, of course, the scariest thing about Labyrinth is David Bowie’s leggings, and I actually have very fond memories of the movie, which this wonderful hand-made replica door knocker helped bring flooding back this week.

Made by Craftster forum user, chughes225, this knocker is made from a wooden block, foil, polymer clay, and is masterfully painted and glazed. Check out the Knocker from Labyrinth post on Craftster here.

I can’t wait to see the full set. These two characters were so funny in the movie, and I can even hear them bickering in my head now as I type…

“Mumble mumble mumble… you’re a wonderful conversational companion.” “You can talk – all you do is moan!” “No good. Can’t hear you…”

Category: Craft, Geek, Movies | 2 Comments

October 13

DIY Halloween Costume: Captain America

So how is your Halloween costume coming along? I actually have a Halloween costume party to go to this year, and think I may just go easy on myself with a premade Star Trek uniform that I already have, unless I’m inspired by something else I happen along. In case you’re still looking for inspiration, perhaps this Captain America costume is just the thing?

Michele of The Scrap Shoppe provides easy step-by-step instructions for converting a simple children’s sweat set into heroic form, and I would think it would be just as easy to apply to adult-size sweats. I love her idea of masking off the star shape for painting, though it might look neat with a white felt star hand-stitched on, too.

Be sure to click through to see her instructions for making an adorable Thor costume, too!

Links of Interest:

Captain American & Thor costumes
More Captain America crafts on GeekCrafts
More superheroes crafts on GeekCrafts

Category: Comics, Craft, Geek, Movies | Comments Off

October 11

One (Well, Three) Patterns to Rule Them All

My very first geek love was Lord of the Rings. I loved J.R.R. Tolkien’s works and Peter Jackson’s films, and collected calendars, comics, maps, and books about Middle Earth. So it should be no surprise that I’ve found three Lord of the Rings patterns for you to celebrate Middle Earth in your own way!

The first pattern is the noble Tree of Gondor, which can be seen on Faramir’s armor and the Gondorian flag. A beautiful white tree with seven stars and the crown of the King, it’s a pattern even non-Ringers can enjoy. Lusianne R. from Ravelry has created a handy pdf chart so that you too can declare your allegiance to the House of Gondor.

This next pattern is of the Doors of Durin, the secret doors that the Fellowship had to open before journeying into the Mines of Moria. While the actual doors were made of stone and ithildin, which could only be seen by moonlight or starlight, this knit pattern designed by Andrea Krüß-Anders on Ravelry, will probably be much more comfy and transportable.

The third pattern has already been featured here on GeekCrafts by Jenny, but is amazing enough to deserve a second appearance. What better way to show off your fandom than to wear the Elvish ring inscription as a scarf? This pattern is designed by Diana Stafford, and is also on Ravelry. Just be sure you have the rhyme memorized, should anyone ask for a translation!

“One ring to rule them all,
One ring to find them,
One ring to bring them all,
And in the darkness bind them!”

Category: Craft, Geek | 1 Comment

October 9

Free Knitted Zombie Pattern!

Isn’t he just lovely? You can thank Fiona Goble for designing this handsome fellow, and Craft Foxes for posting the pattern (with permission of course). He’s actually just one of the zombies you can knit because there’s a whole book of them! Fancy having a Zombie Cop? Perhaps a movie classic like Frankenstein’s Monster or The Mummy? Pick up a copy of Knit Your Own Zombie by Fiona Goble and you can make them all!

My favourite part? The fact that the intestines “tuck neatly into their own specially made pouch.” Awesome.

Category: Craft, Geek, Horror & Gore | 5 Comments

October 8

Cross-stitching smileys; inspiring minds

About one million years ago I cross-stitched a whole bunch of forum smileys/emoticons and attached them to note cards for a massive Internet forum-based snail mail exchange. At the time I was pretty sure that what I was doing was ridiculous, but I was having fun, and these were only people on the Internet anyway, so who cared, right?!

Today I received the nicest letter from one of the recipients that I’ve actually kept in touch with after all these years. In it, he explained that crafting had never occurred to him before he received my card, but that he loved it so much he tried out cross-stitch for himself (he actually sent me his first attempt – a Half-Life lambda icon), and that led to him trying out other crafts and projects from knitting, to papercraft, to electronics, and beyond!

So really what I wanted to share with you today was the thought that even though I was sure my little cross-stitch pixel-art cards were daft, they actually inspired someone out there to explore their own creativity, and that is AWESOME.

So keep crafting, folks – inspire away! And you know, looking back I reckon those emoticon cards were actually a pretty cool idea. If I do say so myself :)

Category: Computers, Craft, Geek, Internet Memes | 1 Comment

October 5

Lamborghini Aventador A-E2: The Ultimate Papercraft Supercar

Taras Lesko of Visual Spicer, posted a YouTube video of his latest creation: an 8ft (244cm) long Lamborghini Aventador A-E2 papercraft model. His Lambo was completed earlier this year.

“The idea was to build a near-life-size replica of my Aventador Interceptor model, but small enough that I could get it out of my house. After proposing the idea to my wife, she dared me to it and the challenge was on!”

Category: Craft, Geek | 2 Comments

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