As usual, I am having trouble coming up with handmade gift ideas for my dad.

Here is some information about him:

-recently retired from the military (as in this month) to accept a civilian position in IT (he has been doing IT work with the military for the past few years and he loves it)

-loves to tinker with computers

-likes experimenting with Linux and slagging Microsoft

-enjoys the "Wheel of Time" series by Robert Jordan and pretty much any fantasy book with dragons

-likes bathroom humour

-loves talking about and showing off his car

-has a bar in his house (and for a number of years, I game him beer steins as gifts)

-has a tendency to not use anything that he is given (or at least, this is my perception)


My Crafting Abilities:

I have very basic, beginner crafting skills. I:

-have a sewing machine and am just learning how to use it. I have so far made coasters, napkins, a tote bag (though I accidentally sewed the handles inside of the lining - I blame the cryptic pattern instructions), and an Artsy Clutch (all from Bend the Rules Sewing).

-enjoy paper crafting and have lots of decorative paper, cardstock, decorative scissors, some punches, ribbon and other embellishments, lots of types of glue, and Mod Podge (which I have never used).

-have access to a computer and photoshop

-have a 1.25" button maker

-have embroidery materials, but have yet to try to embroider

-have knitting materials, but have not finished learning to knit

-have acrylic paint and brushes, but don't know how to paint (though I'm sure that I could manage painting big, solid colours)

-have square and heart-shaped Christmas balls (the kind with the removable cap)

-have lots of styrofoam balls

-have Perler beads and 4 large, square inter-locking pegboards

-am not opposed to picking up more supplies, if needed

I have been struggling with things to make my Dad for Christmas. He is really into Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time book series, and I thought that maybe I could do something with a map of "Randland" (the fantasy continent featured in the series). Here are some renditions of the map: http://www.sevenspokes.com/world/wallpaper.html

Any ideas on how I could reproduce the map? I do not know how to draw or paint, but I am not adverse to trying something simple. Any ideas on how I could print the map out (from the above website) and make it special (make it not look like a simple printout from the web)?

I have been struggling with things to make my Dad for Christmas. He is really into Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time book series, and I thought that maybe I could do something with a map of "Randland" (the fantasy continent featured in the series). Here are some renditions of the map: http://www.sevenspokes.com/world/wallpaper.html

Any ideas on how I could reproduce the map? I do not know how to draw or paint, but I am not adverse to trying something simple. Any ideas on how I could print the map out (from the above website) and make it special (make it not look like a simple printout from the web)?

Hi everyone,

I'm a youth services librarian and I am thinking about offering a recycled crafts program for teens in celebration of Earth Day (in April). Does anyone have any suggestions for quick and easy recycled crafts that would appeal to teens (aged 14-18), would not need a lot of special/expensive supplies, and could be completed in an hour or less by crafting newbies?


Thanks in advance for your ideas!

I am new to crafting and I am finding it to be very costly to buy all of the supplies that I want/need. Does anyone have any tips for amassing craft supplies on a budget?

I'm considering buying my first sewing machine. I have never sewn before (aside from in Home Ec. class), but it is something that I would like to learn. I am looking for an inexpensive machine that will be easy to use and that will have everything that a casual sewer might need. While I don't anticipate ever using the machine a lot, if I end up liking to sew, I would like to be able to grow a little bit with the machine. I have read some of the buying tips on here and I think that I would like to get a Kenmore machine. The problem is that I haven't the slightest clue as to which model would be best for my purposes. What do you guys think?


Here are some crude pictures of model descriptions (taken from the Sears catalogue):

Kenmore 4 and 8 stitch (this is currently on sale for 159.99 Cdn):



Kenmore 12 stitch:



Kenmore 27 stitch (this is currently on sale for 229.99 Cdn):





Though it is not a Kenmore, there is also a cheap Brother on sale at Walmart. I don't think that I would want this machine in the long run, but it might be okay as a learning machine:




Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Here is my first completed (albeit small) knitted project:





And an action shot on my too little (for the ornament) tabletop tree:




I wasn't planning on making a wreath, so I just made it out of whatever yarn I had on hand. The wreath itself is simply a length of i-cord (this was my first time attempting an i-cord) with tails at both ends tied into a bow.

Can anyone suggest some quick and easy first knitting projects (with pattern links, if possible)? I have practiced casting on, binding off, the garter stitch and the stockinette stitch, and I am eager to try a project.


Some caveats:

-I have size 7, 8, and 10 straight needles
-I have size 7 double pointed needles
-I have not tried increasing, decreasing or knitting in the round yet
-I do not want to work with animal fibers (only plant and synthetic please)
-I have had trouble working with dishcloth cotton (I find acrylic much more beginner friendly)

Hi everyone! I joined Craftster about a month ago because I am trying to start crafting for the first time. While the prospect of starting crafting is a little daunting (there are just so many supplies and techniques), I am finding all of the creative ideas and tutorials on here to be really helpful. With this help, I will hopefully be able to post some projects of my own sometime in the future. Until then though, you will probably see me around asking a lot of questions.

Does anyone have any ideas of what I could do with empty tissue boxes?