Pack Rat Magazine hates the pomp, but we don’t really mind the circumstance.

I came across this Russian blog called elfF houSE the other day that is home to some truly weird images. Maybe some of the pictures might be less bizarre if I spoke the language, but for some of them there can be no good explanation. I did, however, find some pretty cool craft pics there. Check out the crocheted tree project and a felt artist’s sculptures below. I wish I had more info to give you on either subject, but this is all I’ve got. Both projects just seemed too cool to ignore. Hope you feel the same.

Mr. Jones and Pack Rat Magazine tell each other fairy tales.

Magazine alert! Oh I love magazines. Oh I love, love, love, love them. This is probably because my father is a weird man who hordes magazines as if they were a foreign currency. Seriously, we are talking stacks, upon stacks. upon stacks. And clearly, the magazine reading apple doesn’t fall too far from the magazine hording tree. But I’m getting off track. Whether you also enjoy flipping through the pages of a magazine or whether you’re just looking for a website that offers you craft projects for free (after you’ve read everything on our site front to back of course) then check out Make It Mine a magazine devoted to making over all your old doodads into shiny new toys. For instance, the website shows how to truss up an umbrella into a flamingo and add delicate details with silk ribbon embroidery to an old sweater.  Remake all of your too-familiar trinkets into exciting new treasures in no time.

Pack Rat Magazine can’t get no satisfaction.

I am so in love with England. The accents, the fashion, the rich literary history. And I’ve recently come across one more reason to fall in love. The Cans Festival (a riff off the popular French film festival, Cannes) was held at a tunnel under the Waterloo train station in London at the beginning of May. It was so hip and exclusive that the location was only given out at the eleventh hour. Then a crew of the best and brightest stencil/graffiti artists in the world convened and created. The public was clued into the event and for the next two days people streamed in, adding their own mark to the walls. Some people are calling it the greatest stencil show ever and it certainly has rocked my world.

Pack Rat Magazine just saw the movie Heat and we want to talk about it now!

I was futzing around on the CB2 website (an odd offshoot of Crate and Barrel which, frankly, looks exactly like regular Crate and Barrel), when I came across a few wall prints that caught my eye. When I investigated further, I found that each was by the Finnish fabric gods at marimekko and it reminded me I wanted to check out their spring/summer line. If you’re not familiar with this design collective and you love big, bright eye candy then I recommend you check them out immediately. They hit the fashion scene in the sixties and while their aesthetic has evolved over the years, they’ve never lost their bold, graphic take on fashion. Intricate enough to hang on a wall, beautiful enough to dress you up from head to toe, marimekko is one of the undisputed rulers in the textile industry. If you can’t find their prints in stores, try Ebay.

Pack Rat Magazine walks without rhythm so that it won’t attract the worm

You may have begun to suspect this about me, but I love kitschy things. It’s true. In recent years I’ve tried to tone it down some, so my apartment looks less like a Vegas wedding chapel, but I can’t help be drawn to big, colorful plastic ephemera. Fortunately for me, Lala-a-go-go has the answer with her online shop, kitschy. Now I don’t have to clutter up my shelves with snow globes and hula girls, I can wear my love of everything cheesy right on my sleeve with her fun plastic gems. A few of my favorites are below, but to really get the full effect you should browse the store. Please note that all the prices are Pack Rat friendly

I was sure that everyone out there must have stumbled on to the television gem Samantha Who? by now. But after talking with some friends, I am startled to find that there are still some uninitiated people out there. Well let me tell you, if you’re looking for a night of free entertainment, head on over to the ABC website and treat yourself to a marathon of this season’s funniest new show. I will accept the fact that some of you out there may be dubious. When I heard the concept — dyed in the wool bad girl Samantha Newly gets hit by a car and loses her memory, which results in her becoming a nicer person — a big LAME alarm went off in my head. Especially with that allegorical last name? But I am a big fan of Christina Applegate and I told myself that if I watched My Name is Earl to support Jason Lee, then I should give Samantha Who? a chance. So, to make a short story long, turns out this show is HILARIOUS. Like 30 Rock last year, this show is the surprisingly fresh, break out hit of the ‘08 season. All of the characters are rock solid, even Todd, played by Barry Watson who I’m not usually crazy about. Everyone is quirky and funny and Applegate is even upstaged a few times by her ensemble cast, especially Jean Smart who plays her mother Regina. This is hands down one of the best things on network television. Catch it Mondays at 9:30 or watch it anytime online at abc.com

Pack Rat Magazine likes the cut of your jib

Now let’s just get one thing straight. In the eternal war of ninjas vs. pirates, Pack Rat is firmly in the ninja camp. That being said, we’re not so snooty as to turn down a good pirate site if we find one. And Knit Like a Pirate is pretty snazzypants. It’ll get you tricked out in pirate savvy knitting patterns in no time. My favorite is the gunner hat, pictured below. Good for both the high seas and New England winters.

Pack Rat Magazine thinks this is f*$@ing good ham

        So I know that for many people there’s no such thing as too much beer. But, for girl drink drunks like myself who don’t really roll with the brewski, the day after a party you might find yourself saddled with a fridge full of bottles. Thankfully, Gomestic — a site dedicated to improving all things domestic — has a top ten list of all the other things beer is good for. And I can attest to their suggestion that you marinate meat in it. Delicious!

Pack Rat Magazine finds itself irresistable drawn to you.

Hiya party people. Let’s get down to brass tacks. If you are just starting to sew, I suggest you check out this helpful tutorial from the Family Homestead, writen by Crystal out of Washington. She shares a quick and easy method for gathering fabric, one of those tasks that seem daunting to the novice (a.k.a. me). This guide will be a time, and frustration saver.

Pack Rat Magazine knows the last digit of pi.

Well, well, well. You’re back again are you? Looking for a brand new way to stretch your dollar, to turn your trash to treasure? I knew you’d come back, they always come back when they see what kind of clever websites I feature here at the Pack Rat blog stop.  And you’re in luck, today is no different. So please, direct your attention to RePlayGround.  Their motto is “embrace your waste,” which I love, and the site is full of groovy ideas and tutorials.  Take a gander at their ceral box wallet, pictured below.  I also dug their paper tube fruit stand.  And, because they clearly are wearing some smarty pants, they’ve come up with the wise notion of selling kits and tip books full of even more bright ideas on how to put your garbage to work.  A great stop for some quick ideas.