The DIY Librarian

Scrapbooking that doesn't SUK.

2009-08-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

Summertime rolls, sang Jane's Addiction, which somehow is supposed to launch into the DIY Librarian's welcome back column about how you can scrapbook all of your dee-lightful summertime memories, vacations, gaycations, whalecations, etc. Scrapbooking might conjure up the smell of Designer Imposters perfume and visions of earnest Christmas sweaters, but you too can scrapbook without owning a minivan. Believe it or not. Seriously, why put all of your fotos up on a social networking site when you can create a lovely piece of art that you can access any time without the need to pay ComCast $85 a month? Scrapbooks also make lovely gifts. You can email your mom those pics from Aunt Lynn's third wedding or you can make said aunt a gift she's sure to treasure until the next court appearance. So, where to start? The DIY Librarian has all of the answers (the first one being "cool scrapbooking" is a horrible way to start searching!)

Tools of the Trade from HGTV
Don't feel bad about loving HGTV; they don't feel bad about loving you. And providing you with good, solid, reliable information. Start here to understand why acid-free paper is a must and what all of that crap available at Hobby Lobby is for. (Hint: it's not crap, it's a key to fun!)
Crafty Chica's Record Album Scrapbook
Finally a use for that awesome Blondie LP you are never going to find a record player to play on! The Crafty Chica is always a reliable source for amazing crafts. Here she tells you step-by-step how to make a rock'n'roll scrapbook that isn't trying to be rock'n'roll. See, you don't have to shop at Michael's to make a scrapbook that screams "you."

Yep, that's all I found for non-sucky scrapbooking. Help a sister out, if you can. And understand the DIY Librarian is only human, even though you might not want to admit it, Darling Reader.

Summer vacay

2009-06-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

The DIYL is on a short summer vacation and will return in July!

Understand your fertility!

2009-05-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than to start thinking about your fertility, ladies? (Sorry, gentlemen, don't mean to leave you totally out on the doorstep like a flaming bag of poop.) The DIYL is that age when every birthday feels like another round of fertility Russian roulette. Babies make her bio clock go off like a smoke alarm with fresh batteries. If you can relate or perhaps if you feel like babies might be in your in-five-years plan, learn the ins and outs of your fertility. The DIYL only just learned how to track her cycle this past month (and she was the girl who taught everyone in middle school how to use a tampon!). Let it be known: even if you don't plan to breed yourself, understanding your body on a more intimate level is important. It helps you better understand why you feel certain ways physically and emotionally (like that life is an Endless Hell and there is no Hope for a week), increase your ability to recognize when something's off, and just take charge of your health overall. So, enjoy these wonderful tools about the ins and outs of your innards.

My Monthly Cycles.com
Okay, so the name is totally creepy, but the site rocks! Calculators(ovulation, period), calendars (more of the same) and tons of great, great information. The focus is definitely on getting pregnant (baby names, anyone?) which can feel kind of desperate if you're not there yet, but this is a great place to get started on this magical journey towards womanhood.
American Pregnancy Association
Great wealth of medical, emotional and practical information here about the process start to finish of pregancy. The focus is on total wellness, so you get a broad range of articles and tools for tracking ovulation and pregnancy. Best part of the site? The great, non-judgemental info on adoption readily and easily available in its own tab. Thank you, APA for normalizing adoption as part of the process of having a child.
Understanding cervical mucus
What is cervical mucus and why is it so important to recognize and track it? Every woman has experienced it, now understand its function and ties to your cycle. Includes photos!
WebMD's ways to improve your fertility
That's right, with a little work and effort, you too can improve your fertility! Terrible title, but good information about how your entire body, environment and emotional state effect your cycle and ability to get impregnated. How about this factoid? "In one study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, doctors found that men who stopped smoking experienced a rise in sperm count of up to 800%!" Dang, now that's worthy of a gold star and coupon for a free Personal Pan Pizza. (Only bad thing? The link to the video on Pregnant and Vegan has a Milk ad on top!!!!!)

Whether you're planning to be a biological parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, special auntie/uncle or just a trusted adult in some kid's life, understanding how your body works is key to overall long and short-term health. The DIYL can't tell you how many women she knows who are in their twenties and never visited the gyno ("But, I'm not having sex," "I feel fine," "I practice safe sex,"). While being sexually active effects your health, you can be a virgin/celibate and still have conditions (endometriosis, dermoids, cancer) which impact your well-being and future fertility. So this Mother's Day, honour YOUR mother by taking care of your health.

Make Your Own Cheese!

2009-05-03T09:08:00.000-07:00

Who cut the cheese? Eww, not like that, people! Who cut that gorgeous hunk of homemade goat cheese wrapped in herbes de provencal? Why, it must be you, Darling Reader, with your newly-acquired cheese-making skillz! Exasperated by the $4.99 price tag on paneer at her local groceria, the DIYL is determined to figure out how to make it her-dang-self. Why should cheese-making be shrouded in mystery like the going-ons at a Masons' meeting? Folks in developing countries have been making their own cheese for years, so why shouldn't you?

Dr. David Fanhauser's Cheese Making for Beginners
So, yeah, start off here for a detailed, step-by-step science-based primer for understanding the art of cheese-making and developing the skills to make it successfully. Presented by a biology professor, this page teaches you how to start off by making yogurt and ends with a lovely bleu cheese. Great photos, lots of links to help explain it all and it's no nicely organized that the DIYL's heart just puffed with pride. If you only visit one cheese-making web site in your life, make it this one.
Show Me the Curry's Make Your Own Paneer video
You'll get addicted to Anuja and Hetal's web site and videos that teach you how to add a little spice to your life. Geared especially towards Westerners, these videos put South Indian cuisine (you know, the good, delicious saucy stuff) within reach of daunted white folk. Anuja and Hetal break down the art of paneer into an easy-to-achieve lesson. They're the aunties you've always wanted.
Howcast's Irish Porter Cheese-Making
Need to get in the mood for a little cheese-making? You won't necessarily learn how to make Irish Porter cheese in a practical way, but you'll enjoy some nice British Isle's eye candy and get your Irish accent fix as two blokes talk cheese. It's the DIYL's gift to you. You are soooo welcome.
Gour met Sleuth's Cheese-Making Videos
From riccotta to goat cheese to vegan cheese, check out these videos. Once you get some cheese-making skillz under your belt, you might want to tackle brie, cheddar or marscapone. Try the video page or this comprehensive index of cheese recipes.

A simple Google search for "cheese making" or "cheese-making" will reveal myriad ways to purchase cheese-making materials, should you require them. Be creative: see if there's a local source for animal milk, herbs or other necessities for your endevour into cheese construction. Visit the local farmer's market for cheese-makers; they are usually very happy to talk to you and give advice. Maybe you'll get lucky like one of the DIYL's friends and get to spend a day with baby goats! Enjoy, as always.

DIY Shrines

2009-04-26T09:00:00.001-07:00

This week's posting is in honor of Her Ladyship Battle-Ax Midnight Cheesecake Flowing Pantsuit Dame Bea Arthur who passed yesterday, leaving the world a less acerbic, sisterhoody, Broadway-beltin' place. We'll miss her. We all have folks we miss and need to honor, like Ms. Arthur (if you're nasty). What better way than a homemade, perhaps glitter-laden shrine? Use personal momentos, photos, fabric, and anything else on hand to pay homage to those we've loved and lost. The cool thing is, you don't really need tons of skillz to make a really meaningful, cool piece. And you can use anything from a shoebox to an Altoids tin to house your homemade lovefest. (Oh, a tip from the DIYL's conservator friends: make color copies of photos at your local copyshop. You can save the originals and protect them from deterioration.)

The Crafty Chica's Guide to Shrines
The Crafty Chica, Ms. Kathy Cano-Murillo, uses glitter like no one's bizniz. She is also Queen of Shrines with a whole book and line of crafts available on them. Kathy shows you how to make the most of momentos and glitter to create something truly spectacular. (Warning: she does this within the context of her line of crafts, but you can still get a lot out of her web site and directions). Plus, she's just a really, truly cool person!
Go Make Something's Shrine Making ULTIMATE GUIDE
Check this out! From making matchbook shrines to matchbook shrine books to a beginner's guide, this is your ultimate one-stop shop for step-by-step instructions (with photos!) for making cool-as-beans shrines. Truly impressive clearinghouse.
Aisling's Art Shrines
The DIYL is not exactly sure who Aisling is (hmm, credibility problem?) but they know their stuff! Check out the Edgar Allan Poe shrine to get a taste of their talent. Aisling has taught art shrine classes and graciously offers up practical advice on tools, techniques and inspiration. Features a higher level of skill-building and tool-using, but still totally doable for the average crafter.
Pocket Shrine's Journal
Strictly for inspiration, check out what this artist makes on a regular basis. Don't let it create false expectations for your shrines, just let the inspiration soak into your pores.

Shrines are fantastic for honoring, healing and dealing. The DIYL's good friend 'Quel created some amazing shrines using old windows. She bought clear sticker sheets onto which she printed old photos and stuck 'em on the panes. Paint and other craft items were added. Shrines offer endless opportunities to reuse and create something very personal. The nice thing is, it's just for you, so no worries about perfection. Put on some music that reminds you of for whom you shrine, maybe even host a shrine-making party and let the glitter and gluegun take you where they may.

Special mid-week post: the art of Derek Erdman

2009-04-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Got $15 to spare even in this economy (btw, that equals 3 fancy coffee drinks)? Invest it wisely! Buy art, not stock. Take a few minutes to check out the amazing Derek Erdman, his portfolio and 15 buck portraits. (As soon as the DIYL can find a picture she actually likes of herself, she's going for it!).

Balloon Animals and other twisted art!

2009-04-19T09:36:00.000-07:00

No, the DIYL is not pulling your needs-a-tan leg. This week's post is about doing balloon animals and art. Inspiration struck upon seeing the amazing balloon "crown" left for her by the previous librarian on duty (it included a balloon that had an eye on it! Amazing!). Sure, said previous librarian found it on the ground and left it for the DIYL, but whateves. Why pay good money for some schlub to twist a balloon into dogs for the next birthday party when you can learn to amaze your friends and relatives (and possibly make them worry about your sanity)? Use the DIYL's previous advice and host a cocktail/balloon art party (synergy!) or just start hanging out at fairs with your newfound skillz. Who doesn't love a balloon dog?

Balloon-Animals.com Video Collection:
This free video collection is theHoly Grail of balloon art. From a dolphin hat to a T-Rex, the possibilities are endless as to what you can twist a balloon into. The videos are excellent how-tos with step-by-step instructions and helpful hints. Start your amazing balloon career here.
Balloon history from Balloon HQ:
Just check this out. Animal intestines and bladders, the first balloon modeling convention and more. This stuff is interesting.
The Basics from Magic George:
The layout on this site SUCKS (a basic table, red writing on black background...shiver) but the info is solid. Introduces beginners to the fundamental twists of balloon art complete with step-by-step photos, where to buy products and even how to come up with balloon schtick! Thank you, Magic George!

While the world of balloon art is far more vast than the DIYL ever expected (the sheer number of balloon artists who also preach gospel at the same time was dizzying), it appears the how-to portion is fairly straight-forward. So, cue some Chubby Checker and start twistin' the night away.

Veganize Thyself!

2009-04-12T19:50:00.000-07:00

The DIY Librarian used to keep such pamphlets as "Meet Your Meat" in her bathroom as provided reading for guests. But she is not here to preach, just to provide information from reliable, easy-to-access sources. So, she'll skip the lecture and get straight to the point: how the heck can you become vegan in a safe, nutritious manner and what are the benefits of staying clear of animal products altogether? (She's only offering up said info because as of the past year she's had many questions about being vegan from friends and relatives and figured it meant this is info in demand, n'est-ce pas?) So, here we go!

Vegan Nutrition Tips from WebMD
Includes health benefits, nutritional holes from the vegan diet and how to fill them. This is a good place to point your 'rents when they freak out about your new meal plan.
Vegetarian Resource Group
Run out of Tufts University, this is THE place to go. Nutrition info! Restaurant guide! Recipes! Games! Feeding vegan kids and pregnant women! Do prisoners have a right to vegan meals? It's all here and reliable. Comes en espanol and in Japanese, too!
VegNews
This funky magazine's online component boasts vegan dating services, delish recipes, free weekly giveaways, fantastic travel info, shopping and novel ways to prepare tofu.
Vegan. org
Comprehensive collection of links for all thing vegan from recipes to shopping to nutrition for you and your pet. Great place to go to look up quick info when you want to eat out, make something new for dinner or figure out vegan dorm food.
MooShoes
Cuz being vegan is not just about what you eat, but also what you wear. Consider this link the sorbet.

Most importantly, make up your own mind about what works for you. The role of a good librarian is to provide information to educate thyself and be able to make informed decisions.

DIY At-home-gym-stuff-takin-care-of-yerself

2009-04-05T08:54:00.000-07:00

The DIY Librarian spent Spring Break with three little kids and a personal trainer known as one of her bestest friends. Said friends eats really clean (it's an industry word, sounds boring but feels good!) and exercises at home despite said three children. While the DIYL has been running since January and does weights during "Dancing with the Stars", she's still at her desk-job weight (sitting on your ass and eating when bored does not help with the waistline or energy-level). She was inspired by her friend's ability to turn her simple home into a complex workout arena, sans the Sausage Factory feel and wall-to-wall mirrors. In the past two weeks, the DIYL has learned to do a real push-up, has lost a few bits of poundage and positively radiates energy on a nuclear level.

From the way you eat to the way you move, you DO NOT need a Gold's Gym membership (you are NOT going to use it anyway!) or to spend your days at Whole Foods to feel better. Nor need you wait until January 1 (which turns into waiting until January 2, 3, 4...) to start taking care of yourself in a physical way. The reality is, physical health impacts emotional health directly. Also, here's a fun fact: men gain on average a pound a year after they turn 30; by not gaining those pounds they decrease their chance of a heart attack by 80%!!!!

Mayo Clinic's Starting an Exercise Program
Expert physician advice on how to start assessing your fitness level, setting goals that are realistic and more importantly: START SLOW!!! Don't freaking go out and run 5 miles, or do 45 minutes of intense cardio on the elliptical. These are all good ways to hurt yourself, lose interest and lose heart. Build a foundation; slow and steady wins the race. Check out their Barriers to Fitness link when you start.
Cool Running's Couch to 5K program
The DIYL just completed this herself for the second time and has turned this program on to many a grateful comrade. In addition, check out rules for new runners, keeping motivated, stretching and other great resources on this site. Plus, you can sign up and log your running, which is way fun. Running is hands down one of the best forms of exercises (current research is saying forget what is said about bad joints and other stuff) especially because the equipment need is low and the excuses are nill.
Oxygen Magazine
Featuring STRONG rather than merely skinny models, Oxygen Magazine is a little weird, but kinda addicting. The focus is on clean eating and strength-building, two key factors in weight-loss and fitness. The ads for weight loss miracles in a pill might get to you after awhile and you might never be as fit as the models, but the exercises are really good and you can do it all at home for the most part. Like the DIYL said, it's strangely addicting. Recipes, exercises, nutrition and motivation in one weirdish yet motivating package.
About.com's Weight Loss Basics
Comprehensive, excellent, helpful. From setting goals and nutrition to working on every part of your body, this list of links has it all. If you don't want to jump around from site-to-site, visit here for all of your fitness needs. (Sorry for the ads on the page, but the info is solid.)
Traineo
Sign up and log into this popular weight loss community. Friends of the DILY swear by it for motivation, tracking and accountability.
Free fitness videos!
Check out WorkOutz which offers high-quality videos from the crazy (resistance running drills) to the crazy-fun (resistance pull ups with bands on a playground). They also offer pretty standard stuff, too. Or PhysicalFit.net which offers over 800 free videos on everything from how to do weights correctly to cardio. They're not Denise Austin, but who is?

Make Yer Own Makeup

2009-03-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

"The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup
I say a little prayer for you."

Thank you, Dionne, for your inspirational lyrics and reminding us that morning=makeup. At least after asking a divine entity to please make sure this relationship don't go the route of all of those other ones (perhaps she was not wearing enough makeup, or maybe too much?) 'Tis too much for the DIY Librarian to ponder, but it did inspire this week's feature on makin' your own makeup. You can spend $1 or $100 and pretty much get the same results from cosmetics, believes the DIYL, so why not spend the time to make your own organic, natural (ooh, buzzwords!) face stuff? (Incidentally the DIYL used to think both bras and makeup were the work of the Devil; she has since recinded these beliefs and thinks the world is a better place because of it.)

Associated Content's Natural Homemade Makeup and Beauty Aid's From Your Kitchen
You'll find a lot of the same recipes and ideas repeated over and over online for making your own makeup. This site has the best, most comprehensive links and recipes for making lip stains, lip glosses, blush, eyeshadows and more. Save yourself some time and stick with this place.
Kitchen Crafts & More's Homemade Cosmetics Recipes
Ooh, check out THIS site (bubblegum-scented hand sanitizer anyone?!) and swoon. The layout is all 1995, but the content is soooo now and fun. Lighten those circles under your eyes, make fairy dust, or make your lips smell better than a bakery. Have fun browsing!
Homemade Honey Vanilla Lipbalm Video! By Natasha Levitan
This cute chickie shows you step-by-step how to make your own delightful lip balm in your kitchen. We've all seen recipes like this, but Natasha shows you how to follow them without blowing up your microwave or ruining your stovetop with results that won't be clumpy or tacky.
Aryuvedic Homemade Makeup Removers
Appease both your inner dirty hippie and femme fatale with these somewhat crazy but cool recipes for taming your dosha and getting rid of pesky mascara. You'll smell great and people might want to take a bite outta you.
The Beauty Stop's How to Fix Broken Eyeshadow
Okay, so it's not making your own eyeshadow, but you know how you always drop your eyeshadow and then it crumbles and you're all pissy because it still had some good shelf life or was out of stock? Check out this step-by-step process for really saving your eye shadow, not just following some half-assed tips out of Allure.
e-how's Sew Your Own Makeup Bag video
So, once you make all of that kick-ass makeup, you'll need something to store it in (the DIYL loves storage options as much as Liz Lemon). This wonderful video series from e-how (always good for DIY videos that are concise, comprehensive and easy to follow) shows you every step for making a makeup bag sure to inspire thievery from those nearest and dearest to you.

Hope Spring Break was good for you (what do you mean you don't have Spring Break, check out Arrested Development) and welcome back to snow, papers, work and other stuff that gets in the way of doing more yourself.

CUPCAKES shall rule the earth

2009-03-14T19:13:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, the DIY Librarian offered a lift to a dear friend who replied, "sure, only if you'll take me to get cupcakes!" First, she loves that said friend would only accept a ride if the DIYL would take her to get cupcakes; second, this seemed more than reasonable. While the cupcakes were lovely and dee-licious, they were also quite pricey. And since the DIY Librarian has been hemorrhaging money lately, such a purchase was prolly not so wise (even with a nice tax refund around the corner, perfect for stimulating the economy). Now the DIYL has tasted some damn good cupcakes in her life, but realized that the best were always homemade. Since cupcakes are hotter than multiple births these days, the DIYL decided to provide you with the tools to just Do It Your Damn Self and save $3.50. Make yer own fraking cupcakes and enjoy the sweets of your labour.

Cupcake Recipes.com:
Many sites advertise as THE Cupcake Recipe Central. Well, the DIYL visited all of them and THIS one takes the cake! A great selection of recipes including making ganache are a few of the highlights of this site. If key lime, banana walnut torte or orange cupcakes don't whet your appetite for baking, you MUST hate America.
Martha Stewart's Cupcakes:
Oh, Martha, you make the rest of us look bad even while you try to help us do good. Oh my: from hedgehog-decorated cupcakes to rose-piping cupcakes to marzipan bumblebees, Martha can turn your cupcakes from decorated with sprinkles to FAB with a few great tools and techniques. Martha explains her pro techniques and breaks 'em down with photos. Plus there are even videos accompanying some of the recipes! Oh, Martha, we looove to hate you...then copy all of your stuff.
V egan Cupcake Recipes:
This is truly an impressive vegan cupcake extravaganza. In case you did not know, vegan cupcakes are actually far superior and tastier compared to their animal-laden counterparts (check out "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World"- anything you make from it will get you a marriage proposal). This site contains a dizzying number of luscious-sounding recipes for cupcakes and frosting plus articles on the topic. Seriously, check out the number of recipes and resources this awesome chick has collected for you. Oh joy!
Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World:
More than just cupcakes, but superdelicious all around! These funky, sassy ladies bring you the most amazing baking ever. Seriously, you will rule your local kingdom (workplace, township, PTA meeting, AA meeting) if you follow their tried and tested and true recipes for THE MOST AMAZING CUPCAKES EVER!!!! Plus, any idiot can follow the directions!
Animal Cupcakes (aka Cupcake Decorating for Dumbasses):
The DIYL loves this page because it's run by an accountant who loves to bake. Plus it's just real homey and not trying to front or impress. Just some fun stuff (Googly-eyed frog! Sheep! Bunny!) that anyone can do. You might feel like you need to buy a pair of Mom Jeans visiting this site, but give it a chance and appreciate what it has to offer: the kind of cupcake you wish your mom had brought to school for your 7th birthday.

As always, enjoy, darlings and come back next week for more DIY deelightfulfabulousness!

Do It Yourself Fun Healthy Sexy Good Time!

2009-03-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

The DIY Librarian has been working a reference project for Sexual Health Week at the University of Illinois for this week. Along with her other Open Access For All colleagues, she's running a Sexual Health Reference Booth on March 10 from 10am-3pm at the Illini Union. Come get all of your sexual queries answered by a trained reference professional (you should see some of the books we'll have on hand for browsing!). In addition, we've got a great brochure highlighting some smokin' hot, fact-centered resources, both digital and print, for those of you with sex on da brain.

In honor of such positive sexuality, the DIY Librarian thought she'd share some of the fine, non-judgemental, factually-based web sources she found. Respect yourself, respect others and enjoy. Always follow the campsite rule: leave everything in better shape than in which you found it (unless consentingly asked NOT to do so, which would be respectful). Change your bedsheets often. Be safe; STDs are as alive and virile as they were in the Czar's palace or a disco in 1970s Los Angeles. Happy reading!

Annie Sprinkle.org(asm)
The most wholesome website that you have to be 18 to view! Annie is a pioneering prostitute/porn star/performance artist/sex educator who espouses positive sexuality, shows audiences her cervix, and generally just makes you feel good to be alive. Read all about her junk food vs. gourmet approach to love, life, sex and everything else. If you don't fall in love with her, you might be a Cylon. The DIY Librarian guarantees you'll pick up a few tricks that just might contribute to world peace.
S&M Guide for Beginners:
Your Tango presents a great resources of articles for S&M novices. Breezily written, not scarily illustrated and no freaky pop-ups to embarrass you should you choose to view this in public!
Good Vibrations:
For over 30 years Good Vibrations has helped toy novices and practiced freaks alike purchase toys, media and other sundries for sexual exploration, expression and experimentation. Check out the on-line shop, blog and magazine for happy hunting sure to leave a smile on your face...and anyone else lucky enough to run into you after visiting! (Not sure if they still do it, but the actual shop used to have a try-it-before-you-buy-it room!)
Coalition for Positive Sexuality:
Just the facts, m'am, quoth this amateur-looking site. Don't let the bad layout fool you: great information with a focus on providing facts without dispensing morality. Make up your own mind and available en espanol!
Kinsey C onfidential:
Yeah that guy from the movie with Liam Neeson. Kinsey changed the way we viewed sex, brought taboo subjects into the spotlight and made it possible for researchers everywhere to get grants for asking people about such proclivities as wearing their partner's underthings. This is truly an amazing web site, bringing a man of the 1950s into Web 2.0. Features a Mardi Gras blog from one researcher, podcasts, a student essay contest and more! Oh, and great sex info.
Our Bodies, Ourselves:
Oh, the DIY Librarian grew up with the first edition of this landmark women's book and has such fond memories of trying to figure out what the hell an IUD was at the age of 6 (plus the part about lesbianism featured a woman explaining that being a lesbian meant that when she bought a pack of gum for herself, she also bought one for her girlfriend, hence the DIY Librarian thought for years being a lesbian meant chewing gum, so why all the fuss?). Updated and available online, this is THE source for accurate information on everything from birth control to sexual fantasies to basic anatomy.

Do It Yourself Superhero Costumes

2009-02-22T09:23:00.001-08:00

(Forgive the break in DIY service, Life called and the DIY Librarian had to answer.)

Are you ready for the Watchmen premiere yet? You have barely two weeks to get your costume perfectly accurate and bitchin' in the hopes that the 11 o'clock news might feature your crew on their Friday night newscast (if you live in a town where this makes the news, you automatically rock so hard.) A fan of dressing up for any and all occasions (class presentation? Pirate costume! Star Wars rerelease? Han Solo in face-stompin' boots at your service), the DIY Librarian understands that dressing up as a superhero is a need that can and should arise for any and all occasions. You might think such a venture would be easy, fun even. But just ask the dude who spent half a year trying to find the perfect Joker costume how easy finding a long purple coat was (his wife stopped talking to him mid-April). From inspirational photos to patterns, the DIY Librarian is here to stop you from driving Goodwill employees and the nice people at JoAnn's Fabrics crazy with your official guide to superhero costuming.

Incidentally, those in the Louisville area should check out awesome friend Chris Rachael's Watchmen party. Prizes, costumes, fun and she's totally hot: http://www.meetup.com/Movie-Maniacs/

Whic h Superhero Are You? quiz:
Not sure who to dress up as, start here! More fun that which Sex and the City character you are. (Yours truly is apparently Supergirl...weird Iron Man seemed more likely...draw your own conclusions.)
Good to Know's Comprehensive list of Superhero costumes:
A bible of sorts for costume-lovers and virgins alike. A very thorough list of superheros, comic book characters and others including character profile and a What You'll Need list to pull off the perfect costume.
Supercute Superhero cape:
Okay, so this is for a kid, but good Superheros need to know how to adapt. The tutorial is solid and includes directions for sewing or non-sewing. Plus, the results are dee-lightful.
The Ultimate Catsuit Guide:
From a video guide to step-by-step breakdown, this is the ultimate catsuit guide. Includes figuring out what materials to use, how to measure yourself, details from arm to neck closure and patterns for animal masks and tails! Who knows why people want such details for making a catsuit, but this is the first place to go from Somewhat Stretchy.
How to Make Your Own Catsuit:
Note: free superhero patterns are a bitch to find on the Internets. Instead, try searching under the keyword "catsuit" and volia: free stuff abounds. Whether they are nice fetishists or art students, people are totally jazzed to teach you how to make this yourself out of anything from PVC to polyblends. Weapon of Creation teaches you how to make the very foundation of most Superhero costuming: the catsuit (here, they call it a skinsuit, which leads the DIY Librarian to assume they might be German.)
For fun: How to Make a Superhero Costume for cheap video:
Watch this funny cute dude make himself into the Super Squirrel for cheap. A sorbet to cleanse your palette more than anything.

Good luck and happy costuming. Then check out the DIY Librarian's dear friend NoPoMo and her awesome artwork on Etsy.

Make It Yerself Fancy Coffee Drinks

2009-02-15T10:17:00.000-08:00

The DIY Librarian once stopped buying a 12 oz. soy latte every morning from her next-door java haunt and instead put that money in a jar every time she would have purchased said drink. At the end of three months, she had over $500! Which came in real handy since she then got divorced and had to find a new apartment. Instant security deposit! Once again, she is finding herself on that Train in Vain and is afraid to look at her budget for fear of how much she is spending on espresso drinks. The worse is, the best cafe in her town closed and her funds are going towards burnt-tasting coffee that needs tempering with calorie-laden flavor shots. So both her waist-line and wallet are getting blasted!

Instead of getting mad at yourself and Starbucks (actually get mad at yourself if this is where you get your coffee, please), learn how to support your habit at home. Investing in an espresso machine does not have to cost a lot of shekels. You can get a decent machine for your purposes for less than you spend each month if you bothered to keep a money log. The DIY Librarian has found that DIY Espresso takes up a lot of room on the old Internet and has compiled some of the best and most helpful. You're welcome.

Coffee Geek's How To Guides:
From cupping to roasting beans with a popcorn popper to brewing Turkish coffee, you'll find it here amongst Coffee Geek's well-written and clear guides provided by award-winning experts. Seriously, the guides available here are mind-altering (in a good way) and are written with everyone from the budding home-barista to folks trying to win big in competitions for things like creating pretty designs in frothed milk. Awesome.

Consumer Search Espresso Machine Ratings:
Consumer Search has compiled and rated a list of espresso machine ratings. Peruse this list of consumer sites to find the best espresso machine for your level of commitment, budget and coffeephiliality.

2B A Snob's how to correctly steam/froth milk:
Okay, so visiting a site about how to b a snob feels weirder than being over 40 and getting a MySpace account, but trust your DIY friend here. Detailed instructions including photos on technique

e-how's directions for making your own latte:
e-how is another fantastic DIY site made even more fantastic by providing info on how to make your own latte! Includes user reviews, which rocks when trying to figure out if something is worth its salt or not.

Fancy Drink and Pastry Reci pes from the Gourmet Sleuth:
This culinary Sherlock Holmes apparently tries to determine just how your fave food and drink establishment creates their wares. Check out this link for Starbuck's-like drinks and treats (the DIY Librarian hates the Buck O the Star, but they do make a dang fine soy chai latte).

Just remember: DO try this at home. We out.

Valentine's Day Fun No Matter Which Way You Swing

2009-02-08T09:31:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day can send shivers of delightful anticipation or gut-wrenching hatred through your body quicker than another "America's Top Model" marathon. The DIY Librarian prefers to celebrate Lincoln's bday as her Day o' Lust n' Love and pretty much does her best to ignore heart-patterned boxer shorts sold in the seasonal aisle of CVS. But, being a good, non-judgemental Librarian, she is here to serve those who want to embrace the day as either a lovah or hatah. So, no matter which way you swing on the V-day pendulum (no one ever falls in the middle of this one, kinda like how people either love or hate cilantro), the DIY Librarian has gathered some amazing links for expressing your feelings on this hot topic.

Woot's Printable Valentine's For Lovers or Haters!
Check out these awesome printable V's. The Haters features Superheroes suggesting things like "Sea-ing other people" (with a Naimor-like character riding a totally gay seahorse) or "This Relationship Makes Me Uncomfortable" (you know, just check that one out yourself...).
Martha Stewart's Felt Fortune Cookies!
Who better to chime in on a holiday that people obsess over than the Queen of OCD herself, Lady Voldemort Martha Stewart. The DIY Librarian actually loves how MS advises us on Living and this craft is no exception. It's actually easy (no making your own felt from the Shetland you sheared last night dyed with natural berries from your homeopathic/organic Connecticut razzleberry farm) and here's the thing: you decide what message goes in those lovely lil faux cookies. Whether, sweet or sour, folks will appreciate this much more than Scooby-Doo valentine's purchased from Target (no, really, they will. Those little kid valentine's aren't snarky or hip or ironic; they are stupid so stop giving them to your friends as a lark.)
Wilton's Cookie Decorating Ideas
Wilton apparently is the leader in cake decorating. They also have some bitchin' ideas for decorating cookies, candy and other tooth-decaying delights this V-day. The DIY Librarian especially loves cookies-on-cupcakes and the Prisoner for Your Love (doing heart time!) cookie ideas. This page offers an assortment of ideas which you can follow to the letter or crudely distort to express your inner sentiments through baking.
Hip Mama's Place Animal Wrist Bands
Okay, so the DIY Librarian is a little wary of any place describing itself as where the cool, tendy moms hang out, but whateves. Finally a craft that doesn't look like pink and red threw up all over it. These so-easy-to-make animal-print wristbands combine reusing and staplers to make funky wristbands that you can adorn with tags that say things like "I'm wild about you!" or "You bring out the animal in me, rowwr!" Anyway, these are a nice antidote to the usual suspects of Valentine's crafting.

That's all the DIY Librarian has to offer for the Most Disappointing/Romantic/Unrealistic Expectations-building/Love-expressing Holiday ever. At the very least, you can make some cookies and watch "Some Kind of Wonderful" until you figure out that Keith will actually make a crappy, high-maintenance boyfriend and that one day Watts will dump his weepy, wimpy butt for someone who doesn't need hitting over the head to realize what a kick-ass chicka she is.

The Year of the Ox and DIY Investing

2009-01-26T18:34:00.000-08:00

Oy, between Bernie Madhoff, GM and the entire Bush Administration, no one is feeling particularly jazzed about investing these days. Hell, the DIY Librarian herself lost a nice little nest egg at the insistence that trickle-down economics would someday magically manifest prosperity for all, like a unicorn crapping gold and delicious food across the land. Well, it's the Year of the Ox, which symbolizes lots of hard, hard work but with gains to show at the end of all that ploughing and being led around on a yoke by Laura Ingall's Pa. Plus, we have a nice new administration, which can at the very least increase consumer confidence even if it will take an entire term to straighten this mess out (accept it now, people, much like accepting that your boy/girlfriend is never going to make the bed the way you like it.).

One thing we all need to accept in 2009/Ox is that we can no longer buy at whim, live beyond our means or expect our lottery dreams to come true. We must start living...gulp, economically. The DIY Librarian has just the ticket for starting us on the road to frugality: investing.

Yes, investing. Don't let that idea scare you. It does not have to mean paying some greaseball in khakis and a blue button-down who will later use your dividends to snort blow off of a dancer's bum. You can do this yourself. The DIY Librarian's brother used his leftover student loan money to invest at E-Trade and created a nice little down payment on a house in the DC area. Yes, we can! It might take a little Oxy (not Cotin) behavior on your part, but DIY Investing can yield short and long-term results that might have you waving estatically from the economic responsibility bandwagon. So, where to start?

Is DIY Investing right for you?
Good questions to ask, pros and cons and what to expect as a DIY investor from MSN Money, which provides sometimes obvious, but sound financial advice for money neophytes.
How to Create a DIY Portfolio:
From Associated Content, finance writer Linda Miller lays it all down on the line, in very specific, helpful ways, step-by-step. Includes the emotional part of investing, like how not to freak out.
The DIY Portfolio Management Society:
Wow, these people feel so strongly about not paying fees and managing your own money that they have a society for it! Good resources and support.
Jason Kelly's Neatest Little Guides to all things money:
Okay, so this guy has the cheesiest picture ever (think hair-loss ad), but he has written these kick-ass little books that break it all down for you. His web site features solid, frequently updated advice and cool worksheets! Worksheets rock!

Hopefully, this gets you started on your way to investing some Lincolns, Benjamins, Hamiltons in Hope and Hard Work (themes of 2009, y'all).

Only In America

2009-01-20T11:48:00.000-08:00

The DIY Librarian is taking a break from telling you what to do and how to do it and where to do it in order to reflect on today, a historic day: the day she got her hope and faith in America back.

Almost one hundred years ago my great-grandparents fled their shtetls in Russia and Poland to make the journey to America. They left poverty, violence, being shoved into ghettos and villages, hiding in potato cellars until the latest wave of pograms passed, being told who or what they could be because they had hope. They had hope that leaving family and certainty behind would lead to a better life. They had hope that they were coming to a place which would accept them, nurture them, provide for them and keep them safe. They were coming to America.

In America, life proved difficult. My great-grandfather Louis was a peddler. In fact, he was a huckster: a vegetable peddler and the lowest form of pushcart peddler you could be. He was literally spat upon in the street. "Dirty Jew." "Go back home!" My other great-grandfather traveled the country, buying up clothes from down-on-their luck rich boys who needed to pay off gambling debts. He then sold them to other peddlers and built up a business this way. Only in America.

But hope won out over struggle, finding out that anti-Semitism hadn't been left behind, and that they still were being told what to do and who they were. But they saw something bigger. They knew their journey was for a reason. My grandparents were born. They spoke English, went to school and in them their parents saw their struggles rewarded. My grandparents did not go to college. My grandfather Arthur positively thirsted for education, but hard times and quotas forced him to take up where his father had left off: traveling universities to buy off clothes from debt-ridden fraternity brothers. My grandfather struggled with earning his living off of people who had something he so desperately wanted: more education, more opportunity, more freedom. But he carried on. He knew his life was already better than his parents. He knew hope and he knew that the next generation was coming. Only in America.

My parents were born and hope continued. My father attended a private school where he was one of two Jews allowed per grade. My mother remembers a brick thrown through their window on Hanukah one night when the menorah burned bright in the front window as a young girl. They called the police, an act which alone showed how far things had come. My mother and uncle attended college. My uncle and father served in the military, without assumption that they would do anything else. My parents had choices in defining their lives and selves. Choices born out of the promise of hope, out of the belief in America and its promise, out of what America could provide.

I was never a patriotic person. I've been rather snarky about America and vocalized my disdain for how I perceive our way of life. But today hope has been returned to me. It's all of our birthright. Not just as Americans, but as human beings. Hope has sustained my family for generations and I have no right to forget that, to become complacent and cynical, to not take my place as part of our nation. Hope is ours, America is ours, today is ours.

Inauguration Day Crafts!

2009-01-10T06:30:00.000-08:00

My Fellow Americans: 2009 is upon us in all her hopeful glory. Before we all have to buck up, roll up our sleeves and get down to some hard work (financial, emotional, doing more crunches, clean the garage), let's take some time to celebrate our incoming president with some good, ole fashioned crafting! Nothing says Inauguration (which is a really fricking hard word to remember how to spell) like homemade noisemakers and Obama cube heads. The DIY Librarian, ever patriotic and finally excited about the presidency, searched high and low to find projects for all ages and craft-level for her peeps. The ACLU would be proud.

Obama Craft Project: check out this fantastic blog of Obama-related crafts. See, hipsters have more to offer the world that just cute glasses and gentrification. Really, some great ideas here that the DIY Librarian wants to get crackin' on.
Yes We Can! noisemaker video: Kaboose.com craft editor Laura Young teaches you how to get in the spirit for those all-day viewing parties with a video for making your own snazzy noisemaker. Make 'em ahead of time or have folks make them as part of the festivities.
Obama placemats, napkin rings and necklaces: Surely you'll want to keep your kids or guests busy by making these delightful and useful crafts. Whether they are 4 or 84, all will want a glittery Obama napkin ring to use.
Craft Stick White House: the White House is within reach of all of us! Make that dream come true with our own White House, crafted out of craft sticks, one of G-d's best crafty inventions for all ages.

DIY cold remedies

2008-12-30T13:23:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Hanukkah Harry! The DIY Librarian got a cold for Hanukkah and Xmas this year (she's still waiting for her Kwanza and Muharram gifts, ahem!). While she'd rather have socks, at least she has the time to rest, drink plenty of fluids and watch VH1's 100 Best Hard Rock songs (sigh, WHY did Sebastian Bach have to get so fat?). The DIY Librarian usually consults Dr. Andrew Weil during times of bodily duress. But she's noticed that eating tons of garlic gloves no longer cuts it and in fact, just leave her smelling like an Olive Garden. Clearly, the cold-fighting arsenal needs some boosting (like in Civilization when building Da Vinci's Workshop updates all of your weapons to muskets!).
Inspired by her flaky red face, dripping nose and hacking, the DIY Librarian offers you some basic facts about colds and how to take care of them. In the meantime, wash your hands a heck of a lot and don't kiss anyone with post-nasal drip (and skip the Airborne, it don't do squat).

Start here: Mayo Clinic's guide to basic cold care:Expert, tested advice from docs who know. Sometimes it's good to see common sense and what your mother told you mirrored back by people with heavy school debt. Really, drink boatloads for fluids, wash hands, rinse, repeat. I know this stuff, but it makes me feel better to read it somehow. Can you relate?
Make Stuff's homemade natural, DIY cold remedies!
From simple cough syrups to mustard plaster to throat soothers, you control what goes in your body. Natural goodness without the crappy Red Bull and Vodka taste most cough remedies seem to have. Docs advise skipping the OTC stuff anyway because the side effects (massive drying of your body for one) can be as cruddy as your symptoms. Try making these instead.
Gentle exfoliator for flaky skin: blowing your nose repeatedly (and the DIY Librarian don't care if you use the tissue with built-in lotion) leaves you with flaky, red skin. So you feel like crap and look it. When you are on the mend, try this lovely GENTLE recipe for ridding your skin of dead skin. What's nice is that the tea tree oil will help clear out your sinuses, too!
Sensitive Skin Gentle Exfoliant By Beverly Smith
For a gentle sensitive skin exfoliator, mix 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1/4 cup milk, two teaspoons baking soda, one tablespoon olive oil and five drops of tea-tree oil in a bowl, then apply to your skin.
Alternatives to Kleenex!
The DIY Librarian just discovered My Grandma Was Green and am in love! Check it out for yourself and take the Grandma Challenge (this is now the DIY Librarian's New Year's Resolution). Anyhoo, the blogger and her fans offer these many alternatives to landfilling Kleenex.

Finally, the DIY Librarian did a boatload of research and was devastated to discover that alcohol does NOT help a cold. In fact, it can make it worse. Crap! Feel better!

Furniture Make-over: repaint, refinish

2008-12-22T07:57:00.000-08:00

First off, apologies from the DIY Librarian for not updating these past few weeks. Finals time is over and she is back on schedule. Perhaps she needs to do a how-to-keep-on-schedule piece, if only for herself.

So, you are probably expecting something on decorating cookies in a funky way, making your own gifts, or how to throw a bitchin' DIY Hanukah/Xmas/Kwanza par-tay. Sorry, no dice, people. The DIY Librarian is a firm believer in the need to get away from the holidays during the holidays. So, what better way to renew your spirit, do something for yourself and have an excuse for why you can't join your family at Cracker Barrell for Xmas Eve dinner than undertaking a huge-ass project. Like giving your furniture a make-over!

The DIY Librarian did this a few years ago after her divorce: no place to spend Xmas as a Jew, old furniture from said divorce and bad weather combined to create the perfect scene for repainting old furniture. Sadly, it took her about 5 trips to Jerry's Home Improvement before she figured a few things out: like priming, sanding and putting plastic on the floor before painting a giant entertainment center (it stuck to the wood floor and she had to wretch it away herself. Ho, ho, ho!). Luckily she ended up with some fairly cool pieces, if she does say so herself. But to save you so many trips to the hardware store that you end up crushing on the 60-ish paint guy (he does know a lot, so ask!), here is a guide to giving your furniture an HGTV-worthy make-over.

Note: It can be quite the challenge to find painting ideas that won't make you want to gag on their whimsy.

Should you even bother? Indobase's basic primer for what you can and shouldn't do
start here: what kind of furniture are you looking at? Can you even repaint it? If so, how can you repaint or finish it? Good questions I never bothered to ask and should have!
artSparx Guide to refinishing, repainting and staining
okay, so they ARE trying to sell you products, but the info is solid. It includes pictures of how to do things like sand in the direction of the grain. Plus it covers new, old, finished and unfinished furniture. And the directions are concise and clear. A great starting point!
HowCast: How to repaint furniture video!
HowCast tooootallllly rooooocks! Okay, so this video is a bit on the basic side to begin with (sample directions include: what you'll need: a piece of furniture), but stick with it. This video is divided into clearly labeled sections, which you can skip ahead or review again. Plus it's a great way for visual learners to understand exactly how to figure out which direction the grain goes, what a thin layer of primer really looks like and fool-proof brush strokes. I heart this video.
Feeling Ambitious: Works of Art furniture you can do
From HGTV themselves, ideas for the DIYer with ambition and some time on their hands.

A freebie: the DIY Librarian could not find space for this link, but check it out! It's an amazing how-to from a fancy paint company about how to do things like actually cool textured walls, scraping designs into paint, making mod murally pics on your walls. It's stuff that looks cool and expensive, but is really within reach.

Make Yer Own Reusable Wrapping Paper!

2008-12-05T07:48:00.000-08:00

(Gift bag from BurdaStyle)

It's that time of year when radio stations go bad, Soy Nog calls your name and Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties keep Goodwills in bizness. Bring on the cocktails, please.

It's also the time of year when 4 million tons of holiday gift wrap fills our already overflowing landfills. Stop feeling crappy about the overindulgence of the Festive Winter Holiday Season and make your own gift wrap, to be used over and over. I've found the easiest, chicest and cheapest ways to save the planet, save your soul and impress the heck outta friends, families and secret santas.

DIY Network's Fabric and Ribbon Wrapping
Use pretty ribbon and/or fabric to artfully and easily wrap gifts. No buying tape and folks can reuse your lovely textile wrappings.
Seattle Post Intelligencer complete guide to cute and sassy reusable wrapping
Quick, easy, cheap and pretty- just like your favorite boy/girlfriend!
Apartment Therapy's Double-Duty gift bag idea
Trust the fab folks at Apartment Therapy to come up with wrapping that is a gift too! Buy or make bags, or finally find use for all of those swag cloth bags you've got stashed behind your Campers in your closet.
BurdaStyle Make Your Own Drawstring Bag Pattern!
Use up scraps or find use for that gorgeous half-yard you bought with no clue what to make. BurdaStyle offers awesome open source sewing patterns. This is quick and truly easy, basic sewing skills only needed.

Good luck keeping our planet beautiful and the holidays bright. I suggest you check out Chris Rachael Oseland's cocktail column as the holiday season progresses. You'll need it.

Holiday Cocktail Party!

2008-11-21T09:08:00.000-08:00

DIY doesn't just mean knitting scarves instead of hitting Urban Outfitters, making your own bookcases out of dumpster diving treasures and visiting the fabric store so often that when they expanded they named a wing after you. It also means things like hosting fabulous parties with a do-it-yourself bar instead of paying $8.50 for an alcohol-saturated "cocktail" made by a sausage-looking dude who expects a tip for filling your glass. Then there's the guys who frequent places like that...

Do-It-Yourself cocktail parties are way more fun anyway. You don't have to stand in line, you choose the music and if anyone spills their Brazilian Cosmo on you, you're already home! If PBR and blasting Arcade Fire are more your hosting style, the DIY Librarian has pulled together quick'n'easy help. Like Betty Crocker, but with alcohol and swingin' hors d'ourvres.

The Booze:
Red cocktails!
I love Chris Rachael Oseland's weekly alcohol column on the wonderful FoodVu. Right now she's got a rainbow-theme going with a new color of cocktails every week. Red is perfect for this time of year. And everyone loves a theme party! Try her Thanksgiving Cocktails for an after-turkey party with all of your carb-loaded friends. You might need a drink after listening to Aunt Betty's litany of surgeries/reasons why Sarah Palin is great/why you should be married by now.

The Food:
Cocktail Appetizers & Swanky Finger Food
I love MartiniArt and their one-stop martini shop. Napkins, music, sugar rim and recipes galore, all with a wink-wink-nudge-nudge retro feel. A must for those who love girlie pin-up stuff and stuffed olives. You could buy some goat cheese and french bread from Trader Joe's and people will be happy. Or you could go a little bit out and make stuff like Fancy Leaf Boats, Black Tie Cheese Straws or Hot Clam Dip Martini Style to pair with all of those red-colored cocktails.

Party Favors!
Send your satiated guests home (with designated drivers!) with lovely favors that double as decorations. Check out these easy-to-make paper flower CD holders. They make lovely and cheap table decorations and your guests can take 'em home. Use the paper of your choice to quickly create these oragami-ish, sleek and modern decors. Much better than carnations.

We all know music is tres important for any gathering. The DIY Librarian cannot condone burning CDs since copyright is something she must take note of. Check out Dean Martin or Pink Martini CDs from your local library for a more traditional cocktail soiree. If you want something different, she can recommend Stereolab or Thievery Corporation for a more modern but cool vibe. Just don't burn copies for your friends!

Good luck and have a good night. Or day. Who says Cocktail Parties are the propriety of nighttime? Sunday afternoon is the perfect time to have fun and forget Monday is on it's way.

SHRINKY DINKS!!!

2008-11-14T09:25:00.000-08:00

Remember shrinky dinks? Don't remember them, but think they sound fun? Well, they are! Shrinky dinks are shrinkable plastic that shrink (hence the name!) approximately 1/3rd their original size and actually become 9 times thicker. It's magical!!!

Shrinky dinks are a great way to stretch your crafty muscles and explore with minimal cost and time. Plus, you can make shrinky paper out of stuff you'd throw away at home. Or you can buy special shrinky dink paper, purchased cheaply at most craft stores, which you can run through printers or copiers. Just look at what some markers, shrinky dink paper and a little time can create! Wee Wonderfuls, a great crafty blog to check out, shows off some of what you can do with these dee-light-ful pins.

I've seen cool jewelry projects, shrinky dink portraits, buttons and other fun stuff to keep or give for gifts as the Western Festive Holiday Winter Season gears up. The DIY Librarian has culled through the literally thousands of Shrinky Dink-related web sites to find the best, the brightest and most helpful. Enjoy and share your projects.

Free Amy Butler Patterns!

2008-11-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

I heart Amy Butler. Her luscious, fabulously design-y fabrics make me wanna just pin them up all over my walls and never leave the house. The woman can combine colors like no one else and I love the patterns. All so delightful and swoon-worthy. Okay, so things are on the PRICEY side, but you can get a Butler-fix for less. Amazing, but true.

Hancock Fabrics often carry Amy's fabrics and they are always having some kind of crazy sale or another (check out this week's Veteran's Day sales. Seriously, buy kick-ass fabric half-off to honor our nation's Finest.)

Amy offers numerous sewing patterns for ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!!! You can download patterns for quilts (!), fabric necklaces, yoga mat bags and other fun stuff here: http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/free_patterns.php