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One of the things that’s so great about living in our modern society is the range of technological advances through the past few decades that have enabled us to streamline many of our crafting processes and ultimately achieve more in less time with less effort. From software that aides us in design to machines that help to execute what our hands alone may not, to the vast expanse of Internet platforms allowing us to share and learn, it’s now easier than ever for us to not only create but to engage and share our creativity with the rest of the world.
Whether it’s BurdaStyle, Etsy, Ravelry, StyleTrek, or FashionStake, there are a number of websites set up to help creatives of all kinds to not only get inspired but also to reach new audiences they may not have had access to before. We can now find patterns, tools and materials, share ideas, get tips and sell or buy goods with the click of a button, all while connecting to an innumerable amount of people in the process. Technological advances have revitalized and revolutionized craft and DIY, making creativity more popular and more accessible than ever before.
We want to hear from you: What recent technological advances have aided your craft the most? What in our modern society helps you to be more creative and get more done with less effort? Or maybe you have an idea for a new invention that could streamline your creativity. Give us your feedback and you could find yourself in possession of a brand new Windows 7 phone from Microsoft! Simply leave your comments below between now and Monday, November 29th, 2010 for your chance to win. For full contest rules click here and we can’t wait to hear your ideas!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) 18 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends 11/29/10. For Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit our discussions post. Sponsor: Federated Media Publishing, Inc., 2 Harrison Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105.
This giveaway is brought to you by the new Windows Phone 7. Less tech tired. More tech trendy: Learn about Windows Phone online [www.windowsphone.com] and see it in person at local T-Mobile stores today.
Dec 3, 2010, 05.11 AMby momsgotanewhobby
And the winner is?????
Dec 2, 2010, 02.36 PMby darciepemberton
Quite simply: I get great ideas & inspiration from seeing other people’s work. When I need a creative boost, there are always fabulous displays of ideas. Free patterns help me craft more, as I can spend more on tools & materials.
Nov 30, 2010, 03.40 AMby dolowoyo
Doing more with less could be decorating the christmas tree as a family. More work done in less time, and lots of family time together.
Nov 30, 2010, 03.39 AMby jyoken
Not exactly recent but a hot glue gun. Still useful for crafting.
Nov 30, 2010, 02.58 AMby techsage
I am most inspired creatively by looking closely at nature and marveling at the wonderful design of things.
Nov 30, 2010, 02.45 AMby Josè Morales
I used to check my email through a browser; a few months ago I started using an email client. Now I can check all my email accounts at the same time! That’s doing more with less! astroXweb@live.com
Nov 30, 2010, 01.45 AMby dorrellc
One of the most useful technologies for me has been an electronic schedule. By planning some time to work on individual projects and having Outlook remind me that I’ve set the time aside, I get a lot more done.
Nov 30, 2010, 01.23 AMby Kate Gilligan
I like the sewing and crafting blogs- they can be extremely helpful k k g r a y 8 8 @yahoo
Nov 30, 2010, 12.40 AMby malky
There have been some photoshop techniques that I’ve always wanted to do but didn’t know how. YouTube is an awesome way to learn from experts who are great at Photoshop. It really helped me with my photography!
Nov 29, 2010, 06.25 AMby sstran
I really like keeping notebooks around for ideas. It doesnt cost much and it helps me later on when I am bored or uninspired to give me new ideas
Nov 29, 2010, 05.54 AMby dorrellc
Really? If you aren’t using Illustrator for project diagrams you aren’t trying!
No offense intended.
Nov 29, 2010, 05.03 AMby Josè Morales
I just love the TweetDeck app! I can now post one comment and this app will post on my different social accounts!!! Now, that’s doing more with less :)
Nov 29, 2010, 04.36 AMby Kate Gilligan
i use tools like google images and tumblr to get inspired k k g r a y 8 8 @yahoo
Nov 29, 2010, 01.34 AMby malky
When I want to shoot videos or mini movies, applications like Windows Movie Maker really makes it easy to stitch a couple videos into one big movie. It really helps out when I want to mix my vacation photography with videos that I shot!
Nov 28, 2010, 03.35 PMby phyllisericksoncomcastnet
Regarding the party-pretty petticoat, it reminds me of when I was a teenager in the 50s. My best friend and I made these “can cans” but they were much fuller – as full as we could make them. We used yards and yards of nylon strips that we cut out. We’d even wear them to school. When we sat down at our desk or on the school bus, they would puff up all around us. They were great at dances, because we would never have to worry when we twirled that anyone would see anything they shouldn’t. They were sort of scratchy, though, and would snag our “nylons” sometimes so the ribbon on the bottom is a great idea. Phyllis
Nov 28, 2010, 03.11 PMby dolowoyo
Doing more with less sometimes means reusing grocery bags, or buying the recyclable types and using those. Saves the environment and saves the grocery stores money, which in turn saves you money.
Nov 28, 2010, 05.47 AMby sstran
m and ms are probably my favorite more with less candy. i use them to decorate cakes, i use them in counting games with kids, and they just taste good smile
Nov 28, 2010, 04.03 AMby vicki-rf
For me the internet has been my door to the world. I can chat with other sewers everywhere. With the internet I found a knitting/crochet group that meets close by and I enjoy their company every Monday. Being able to look at books and patterns online enables me to have more time for crafting and inspiration to try new techniques.
Nov 28, 2010, 03.28 AMby ggexpansive
while i am not at all advanced one of the things i am very grateful for is fusible. If every time i needed to stiffen fabric i had to pad stitch it in i think i would only sew night clothes and cry. I also like searching google photos to find new ideas for fabric i get. I once bought stretch lace in a odd pattern and googled stretch lace, i found a beautiful shirt to jump start my sewing :)
Nov 28, 2010, 03.02 AMby Kate Gilligan
Being able to search for any image imaginable is a big help k k g r a y 8 8 @yahoo
Nov 28, 2010, 02.51 AMby malky
I like to play guitar and as many know, you have to tune it. I’m so thankful for the invention of easy to use guitar tuners! I’m sort of a beginner, so having to tune by ear would be so long and difficult for me!
Nov 28, 2010, 01.01 AMby Tracey Chang
This is really basic, but my answer is “the internet” — access to so many creative blogs really helps me come up with new ideas!
Nov 27, 2010, 09.41 PMby Josè Morales
Social networks have simplified my life a LOT! Twitter is my favorite. In the past I’d had to go over many sites; today I only have to follow them on Twitter, set a list specifically for news, and voila! I’m informed about EVERYTHING!
Nov 27, 2010, 09.39 PMby tamichan
YouTube. It’s hard to find a sewing class that fits my schedule. I get on Youtube to view techniques that I want to learn. The Children’s Corner videos are my favorite.
Nov 27, 2010, 07.20 PMby dorrellc
A lot of different programs are useful for project planning or experimentation; I like Powerpoint for quick & dirty diagrams and mockups.
Nov 27, 2010, 01.34 PMby wheelyfeet
My favorite technology is computer aided drafting software from Wild Ginger software. In addition, I love the internet for searching blogs and social networking sites for inspiration and also for the ability to learn new techniques.
Nov 27, 2010, 06.15 AMby bekabug8
The internet has taught me more about sewing than my instructor in Fashion school.
Nov 27, 2010, 01.31 AMby dorrellc
My girlfriend recently introduced me to the idea of spinning crazy fibers. I’m not sure how to express this: more fiber from less dog? That’s weird.
Nov 27, 2010, 12.39 AMby dolowoyo
doing more with less could mean budgeting and adhering to it. It allows us to save properly and spend wisely
Nov 26, 2010, 07.40 PMby mrsmac22
Being able to cyber talk with so many other people interested in the same hobby as I am has been such a wonderful learning tool for me. I never travel without my laptop or Droid so I can keep the learning curve up to snuff. Mary Ann