To show support for my friends currently doing the RPM Challenge (writing and recording an album in 28 days), I’m going to spend February focusing on sound-making and musical projects.

One of my goals for 2011 is to learn to knit and crochet. I love the look of handmade yarn projects, and lately have been seeing more and more using soft circuits. Here are a few techniques I’m hoping to try once I get the hang of some needlework basics.

Here are a few of my favorite holiday crafts that use electronics and conductive threads.

Here’s a project using LEDs, fabrics, and felt to make a decorative Christmas tree wall hanging. Inspired by Becky Stern’s Electronic Embroidery tutorial, it uses simple techniques to make a festive decoration.

This week I’ve been working on two different ways of creating light up fairy wings for Halloween.

October is my favorite time of year. As a crafty person I love the opportunity to go all-out and decorate my house, help out with Halloween celebrations, and get dressed up for costume parties. I’ve gathered up a few interesting projects from Instructables for some inspiration on adding technology into your Halloween celebrations.

A few weeks ago, Makezine & Craftzine introduced a new DIY platform called Make: Projects. Soon after the site launched, I jumped right in and started posting some of my project tutorials and playing around with the system.

Lately there are an increasing number of shoes on the market that incorporate technology, from running shoes that sync with your iPod to high fashion illuminated heels. Here are a few cool tutorials that show you how to build your own tech-infused footwear.

Today I made a sock puppet that makes sound when you open it’s mouth. I used one of those greeting cards that plays sounds when you open it, some felt, and plastic buttons. It was a quick project for a rainy day and is a great way to use up old cards.

The last couple of weekends have been surprisingly warm and sunny for April in New Hampshire, so I’ve been trying to spend as much time outside as possible. At first I thought this would directly compete with my goal to work on soft circuit projects, but there are a lot of things you can take outdoors and piece together while enjoying the weather.

[Image via Knitty.com]