At this time of year, I know everyone else is snatching up red and white baker's twine to tie up their adorable presents, but I'm smitten with the orange stuff, available here. Maybe it could go with these printable orange gift tags for a zesty little holiday package.
This Sunday is the first Sunday of advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas. If you'd like to count down the days in December, download this sweet free advent calendar from Mibo. Just 10 minutes assembly is required, plus a craft knife, ruler, and glue.
Sharon Rowan sent over a link to these little bird bookmarks she designed. You can download and print them right here. And as always, if anyone else has designed a lovely printable freebie, written a super DIY tutorial, or stumbled onto something fabulous, send me a link. I can't feature every submission, but I always love to see what you guys are up to.
Here's another freezer paper stenciling example, printed a couple weeks ago when I was trying out the technique. I had grand aspirations to get the fabric sewed into a zippered bag to use as a sample at the Craft Social stenciling table. But I ran out of time, of course. I finished it this weekend, only a week late.
I think of this blog as my vacation getaway, a happy diversion from commercial graphic design work. (Except for the occasional logo quiz, of course.) But I'm compelled to mention a hilarious site which designers everywhere will appreciate. Clients From Hell is "A collection of anonymously contributed client horror stories from designers." Welcome to the wonderful world of graphic design! (Via Coudal.)
If you've got some time to kill, try this logo matching game. A fun way to look at logos if you're interested in design. I could have used this diversion during the short breaks in my jury duty this week. The case ended yesterday, so now I'm tending to the backlog of logo, stationery, and signage projects that piled up while I was gone. How come I don't have a "time-saver" category for posts?
Friday's Chicago Craft Social was lots of fun. The theme was handmade gifts and holiday decorations, like these felt gingerbread ornaments. I made this half-eaten gingerbread man using Elsie Marley's free pattern, available here. These tiny houses are based on Betz White's design in the e-book Crafty Tree Trimmings: Six Festive Holiday Ornaments to Make, for sale right here.
