Lark Crafts

Many of my friends and coworkers are excited about the warm weather settling in early this spring. It means they can get out in the garden and get a jump on planting their future harvests. I hear talk of tomatoes, pro-tips for peppers, and all sorts of other gardening chatter. But the fact remains: Some of us aren’t so lucky.

If you, like me, don’t have a gardening space, do not despair! You can still celebrate gardening season with today’s free project from Making Mini Books. With some empty seed packets and homemade wheat paste (recipe included), you can make a modern or vintage-inspired book for yourself or your favorite gardener.

It’s just one of 34 creative miniature book projects in Making Mini Books. The others are winners too: from matchbooks and pocket-sized leather journals to colorful accordion fold zines and block printed notepads. Many of them, like the project below, also utilize found objects (maps, airmail envelopes, vintage fabric, vinyl records). An invaluable illustrated Stitch Library provides the essential steps for key bindings used throughout the book, including pamphlet stitch, Japanese stab binding, long stitch, kettle stitch, and different forms of Coptic stitch.

So go ahead, download the project below and celebrate spring with a mini book!

Download the Perfect Seeds book PDF.

Some of my more tech-savvy friends have long since bought an e-ink reader or a Nook Color. But this year, it seems like even my mom is interested in something to tote around that can do it all. I never thought we’d be talking about things like the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet as gifts for her.

But I’m a fan of these hybrid devices. There’s something that just feels right about the 8-inch size. Unlike a smart phone, the regions on the screen are easy for me to tap. No more trying to click a link and feeling like I have lobster claws instead of hands. But as a lifetime paperback reader, the 8-inch size is in some ways preferable to the larger 10-inch tablet screens too. It feels more manageable to hold in different ways and read for a couple hours. I just can’t imagine doing that with a bigger screen.

That brings me to the case. There’s more and more options out there every day for this unique size (I

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In December there’s usually a lot of talk about making presents and things to give away. But the truth is, this is also a fine time of year to make some new stuff for yourself.

Ok, so maybe that’s not the traditional holiday spirit. But just one thing here or there doesn’t hurt. Especially when it’s something that makes your house or apartment even more welcoming for guests during the holidays.

Today’s free project is just such a thing. It’s a nice, festive holiday treat that you can justify making for yourself–just think of all the guests who will enjoy it too! And you can always give it away after a party if someone just “has to have it.”

The Felt Blooms Wreath comes from Jennifer Fitzsimmons (you may already know about her store, Itz Fitz).

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