Director Faythe Levine is heading to Vancouver, July 9th, for Western Canada’s premier of Handmade Nation. Watch a screening of the film, then meet Faythe Levine during a Q&A and book signing session afterwards.

When: Thursday, July 9th, 2009 :: Screening at 8:00pm, Craft Showcase at 7:00pm
Where: Rio Theatre, 1660 Broadway East, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Admission: $20.00 in advance or $25.00 at the door (click here to purchase tickets)

Can’t make it to one of the screenings? Check out the film’s companion book — Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design.

Want to show off your patriotism and love for embroidery at the same time? Urban Threads has you covered with their new “Declare Independence” design. Available in two sizes in machine embroidery, hand embroidery, and digital stock art formats. The best part? The design is free through the Fourth of July weekend!

With the 4th of July coming up this weekend, we’ve searched high and low to bring you a handful of DIY crafts sure to add some flare to your BBQ!

Fourth of July Confetti Popper Rockets from Brenda Ponnay of Alpha Mom

Patriotic Fans for Independence Day from Martha Stewart

Fourth of July Sidewalk Chalk Stars from Ellen Luckett Baker of Alpha Mom.

Drink Parasols from Martha Stewart

Tin Can Luminaries from Crafts For All Seasons

Attention all crafty Londoners! BUST Magazine has just announced an exciting event coming your way in August — the BUST Magazine London Summer Craftacular. With enough vendors to have you shopping ’til you drop, live music, and free swag bags to the first 100 attendees, it’s guaranteed to be a day of fun!

When: Saturday, August 22, 2009 :: Noon - 8pm

Where: York Hall, Bethnal Green, London

For more info and complete listing of upcoming events, visit our Indie Craft Fair Guide. Want to receive day-of event reminders? Follow us on Twitter!

Wish there was a way you could relive the joy you felt watching the “dramatic gopher” for the first time? Now, thanks to Jennifer of Handmade Stuffs and her internet meme embroidery, you can!

Don’t know the meme? Check out the Internet Meme Database to search for it — but we strongly urge you not to go looking for 2 Girls, 1 Cup. Trust us on this one.

1. Hamster Dance, 2. 2 Girls, 3. All Your Base, 4. Badger Badger Badger, 5. Dramatic Gopher, 6. Domo, 7. Chuck Norris Facts, 8. Leave Britney ALONE!, 9. Raptor Jesus