Cool Hunting has a book review up about Hawaiian Quilt Masterpieces by Robert Shaw. From the review:

Hawaii's geographic isolation is a blessing and curse. Though often lacking the attention of their continental neighbors, the separation helps fosters a distillation and refinement of native style. In the late 19th century, western traders brought quilting techniques to the archipelago. And for the next hundred years, natives injected the art with their own regional distinctiveness, namely botanical imagery and vibrant, symmetrical patterns Print styles passed through generations like sacred heirlooms and often depict moments from personal or Hawaiian history.

It's not quite out yet, but you can pre-order on Amazon.

PaperKraft links to this neat (and free!) Cubeecraft 2009 robot papercraft calendar. The face is changed with each month, and extra faces store inside the head.

Each day this week we're bringing you a different roundup of 2008 posts on the CRAFT blog. Today's year-in-review is of the most controversial projects that have graced the pixels of these pages last year. We like to encourage intelligent discussions about thought-provoking crafts that break from the mainstream, and in 2008 they fell into consistent categories:

Guns:

• Papercraft AK-47
• Gun Purse
• Gunfight Cross Stitch
• Plush AK-47

"Gross:"

• Bloody Plush Toys
  
• Squirrel Feet Earrings - by far the winner of them all!
  
• My Hair Barbie
  
• Meat House is Gross, Interesting
  
• Shark Attack Cupcake Mountain
  
• HOW TO - Pork Princess Tiara
  

No You Can't/Yes I Can (crafts that bring up other issues):

• Yellow Submarine Shower Curtain tackles copyright and fair use
  
• TV-B-Gone Hoodie and Zipper Switch asserts control in public spaces
  
• Super Easy Stovetop Popcorn raises old generation vs. new generation conflict
  

If I forgot your favorite controversial post of 2008, please post it in the comments!

Is craft room organization on your resolution list this year? Susan Beal has a nifty tutorial up on CraftStylish for creating bead labels to organize your bead storage. I love the idea of being able to see a sampling of the contents of a box full of beads from across the room!

A lot of people seem to be reorganizing and revamping their homes right now, and these DIY cleaning product recipes from Jolly Mom could be just the kick-start you need to inspire you to work on own place. [via One Pretty Thing]

If you're looking for a way to recycle old light bulbs after switching over to CFLs, Craftershock points us towards this tute by Veronica Peterson showing us how to turn them into hanging bud vases!

Zakka Life shows us how to turn an old pill bottle and a rock into a stealthy key hider you push right into the ground.

With the new year here, it's time to learn some new skills! If you're in Austin, Jennifer Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club can help you with that resolution via her classes at Craft-o-Rama.

STARTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS - January 13th 7-8:30pm
Did you know you could have your own craft business up and running in under an hour? Signing up for Etsy is that easy. Or do you think a traditional website is the right angle for you? May take a little longer, but it is not a whole lot trickier. Once you have your business all set up the next steps are letting the world know, networking and making some sales. This 1.5 hour long class will you give the run down on getting started!

CHARM BRACELETS - January 17th 11am - 1pm
Learn the fundamentals of jewelry making while whipping up your own one of a kind Revamped Vintage Charm Bracelet. And matching earrings. This fun and informative 2 hour class will cover the basics of jewelry making like the difference between head and eye pins, wire wrapping, and how to open and close a jump ring. Class supplies include everything you need to make your charm bracelet and earrings including a giant assortment of vintage beads and charms from the Naughty Secretary Club stash for you to choose from! You will need flat and round nosed pliers as well as wire trimmers for this class. You will be able to buy a set from the instructor on day of class as well for an additional $10.

MARKETING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS - January 20th 7-8:30pm
The success of your business is 40% what you make and 60% how you market it. Not yet signed up for Twitter? Don't have a blog? Not swapping swag with other crafters? You could be missing out on easy, crucial and often times free ways to promote your crafty business. Whether you knit booties or solder jewelry this class will help you understand the best avenues to market your small business.

REVAMPED VINTAGE NECKLACES - January 22nd 7-9pm
This two hour class will teach you all the basics you need to get started whipping up jewelry. Jen will bring all the supplies you need to string up a necklace including findings and a big stash of Naughty Secretary Club goodies for you to choose from. You will also get your own beading board to take home! After you make your perfect revamped vintage necklace we will be learning basic wire wrapping and making a matching pair of earrings. Once you have this skill down you will be able to make almost anything! Again all the findings and beads will be provided. Bring your own set of jewelry tools if you have them or Jen will have sets at $10 a pop for sale.

TAKING YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL - January 27th 7:00-8:30pm
Things are running along smoothly with your small crafty business, but you want to know what else the world has to offer. How do people get product lines, book deals and TV shows? There is no secret formula, but Jennifer Perkins has experience in all three areas and will tell you what she knows!

Lotta Bruhn shared these cute animal graphics that you can download and print out on sticker paper. via Whip Up.

Beru Betto made this really unique 2009 calendar starting with some old packaging. Instructions are included although it seems like a real one of a kind calendar to me. Thanks Kate.

Craftster user Id created this impressive felt dragon, inspired by the movie Reign of Fire. Can you believe this is only the second plushie she/he has made...?!

I love the idea of this dress by Craftster user xxboheme, which features an open back in the shape of a heart. Could be a great idea for a Valentine's Day outfit!

Remember Intel's "Need a Tech Makeover?" contest? We announced the winners a few months ago, and are happy to let you know the winning videos have now been posted online. The videos show Hot Hardware hosts Dave Altavilla and Marco Chiappetta presenting the three winners with the makeovers, and it's cool seeing how this new technology will be aiding them in their daily lives. MV Fiber Farm will be using their new wireless webcam to let folks keep an eye on their sheep!

Congratulations to all the winners:

• Steps Off Broadway
• MV Fiber Farm
• Getnthruit

Here's a great project to accommodate your growing belly if you're expecting. Instructables user karenelisam made a detailed tutorial on converting an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt into comfy maternity jeans.

USGenWeb, a genealogy site, has a really cool collection of penny postcards, organized by state. I love this image of native merchants from Alaska; the baskets are amazing.

Jonah @ MAKE writes:

These "Soft Sculptures" by artist Megan Whitmarsh are a soft jumble of everything from consumer electronics like televisions, cell phones, and Rubix cubes to other everyday products. Will she make a "soft Arduino" next?

Candace of Sparkle Power recently gave a run-down of some of the lovingly handmade gifts she and her family received for Christmas. Her sister-in-law made several snazzy outfits for her daughters' Barbie dolls, and my favorite by far is this awesome Princess Leia costume - complete with the iconic hair buns!

If you're looking for a fun new calendar for 2009, try this downloadable version from Blackpio, which folds up into a fun tube shape. [via Folding Trees]

Inspired Ideas shows you how to turn simple materials into this sweet little floral arrangement shaped like a cupcake. [via One Pretty Thing]

Looking for a sophisticated way to keep your neck warm with your favorite cardigan or top? Try making one of these retro-inspired faux-fur collars from Weekend Designer.