paint your own puzzle

new in the shop: a blank puzzle. you can draw or paint directly on the pre-cut puzzle pieces. another brilliant idea from muji.

farmland carpet

earlier this month i returned from an all too quick trip back to the states. to be honest, i have had a hard time catching up since i've been back, but i am working on it, and slowly making progress.

these custom carpets were featured on CRAFT a while back now, and are actually made in a variety of custom designs: netherlands, africa, usa, and this one, which is called europe. but to me, and this may just be the midwestern holstien cows, it looks more like the colors of the american midwest. i always find it mesmerizing to look out of the airplane window and see the squares of fields, cut into a grid by county roads perhaps, usually a little house and outbuildings, surrounded by trees, and then fields filling up the rest of the square.

fall kirigami from zakka life

jessica at zakka life posted a tutorial for how to make these lovely fall cut paper kirigami decorations. via CRAFT via SisterDiane.

feed bags for trick or treating

this year, your trick or treating can also help feed children who are hungry. this bag from FEED supports unicef and helps provide nutrition for a child for a year.
the FEED project has a number of bags that benefit hungry kids throught the world food program.

forest I--basket waving meets automobile

check out this amazing woven car. via poppy talk. It's actually salvaged bark woven on top of the car, by basket weaver annie ross.

paper chain acorns by mayamade

acorns and chain, originally uploaded by mayalu.

fall may be the best time for crafting-- as the change to brisk weather makes us remember the joy of gathering inside, slowing down, and making something with our hands.

the imagery of fall is the best too--firey red leaves in all shapes and sizes, and harvest bounty. this paper acorn chain from maya*made reminds me of paper leaf collages and rubbings done as a kid. so simple and so nice. she has several great watercolor newsprint paper chains on her blog, so be sure to check them out.