I’m excited to share a project that’s been brewing for awhile —something that finally came together during a recent flight home from Colorado. I intentionally had just a pen and a notebook, and with that bit of focus time I figured out how to bring my art, craft, and ideas […]
knitting - patterns & tutorials
Knit Pattern: Cat Hoodie
The Making me Purr Cat Hoodie. It’s one of those patterns that was so much of a joke between Jason and I that I almost didn’t write it down. I almost didn’t share it. It’s become a classic. Knit from stash yarn and lots of laughs it’s the most popular pattern I’ve ever written to date. Originally published in December 2009. Available for purchase on Ravelry, Etsy, and Here on in my Shop
clm - journal - little woods homestead - patterns & tutorials - vol 5 - zines
Craft Leftovers Zine Vol 5: Issue 1 — The Many Deaths of Backyard Chickens
While admittedly there have been other new deaths of backyard chickens, I feel like this zine still represents most of them. I just added the digital edition to the Craft Leftovers Substack Archive here. Become a paid subscriber to unlock many zines & patterns for instant gratification downloading. Taking a […]
clm - howto - nosew - patterns & tutorials - zines
Collage IT Mini Zine—Now in Digital Form!
Many years ago—over 16, to be exact—I launched a zine subscription called Craft Leftovers Monthly. Each issue came with a fun little bundle of craft leftovers, often bundled into a mini kit to try out a new project. It was a blast to make and share! Some of the tutorials […]
howto - journal - patterns & tutorials - zines
Mini Zine: Step-by-Step How to Make a Basic Zine
My newest mini book shows you my favorite techniques for mini book making. Learn how to pronounce “zine”, make a zine, and why I love them!
journal - zines
Mini Zine: How Math Ruined Summer Vacation
My newest zine is out in print or get the pdf (and other zines in the digital archive too) as a Substack paid subscriber bonus! This past summer while my daughter was being excessively determined to never do math again and that it’s worthless — this little gem was born. […]
journal - zines
New in the New Shop
Grand Re-Opening of the Craft Leftovers Shop: Your Hub for Resourceful Craft Inspiration & Eco-Conscious Fine Art! I am thrilled to announce the return of the Craft Leftovers Shop at its new digital abode! A leftovers hub for craft zines & patterns is re-emerging at a new web address, and […]
crochet - feature - patterns & tutorials
Free Crochet Pattern: Oscar’s Fingerless Gloves
First published January 05, 2007; Oscar’s Crocheted Fingerless Mittens was my very first crochet pattern every published on the blog. I still remember typing up the pattern in my college apartment all those years ago — and my complete delight when my new friend Diane shared a photo with me […]
podcast
Ep 18: Do it for the Publicity Guidelines
Do it for the “publicity” rarely works: Here is how to Make sure it Does. Enjoy the podcast here or your favorite player. Enjoy the Livestream video edition: Treat me to a cuppa: https://ko-fi.com/kristinmroach General Notes Sign up for the Craft Leftovers enews list to see what’s been recovered in the archive […]
journal
Switching up Live-Stream to Pre-Recorded + Schemes
Just wanted to send a quick message out to let you know I’m pausing live streaming for the rest of the year. I’m working on some really exciting projects right now and as they ramp up, I need more time to get them going. One of the challenges live streaming […]
journal - podcast
Ep. 17: The Clarifying Nature that is a Cancer Scare
And back! Whew, the first Livestream after the move. What a whirlwind. Made it here through a rainstorm! Giving you an update on why I took a long break, and then a longer than expected break. Podcast Audio Version Coming Soon. Enjoy the Livestream video edition: Treat me to a […]
journal - Mend it Better
A Place to Mend in May
Gather up those textiles you’ve been meaning to work on and join me for some creative social fun. Bring any projects to work on, ie.. knitting, crochet, needle work, whatever. 5:30 – 8:00pm Thursday, May 25th, 2023 Octagon Center for the Arts, 2nd Floor Studio FREE IN PERSON EVENT | […]
Crafty Business - journal - podcast
Ep 16: Take a Break from Work
What if you don’t take breaks because you are so in love with what you are doing every day? Welp. Suck it up buttercup, you need a lunch break too.
journal - Mend it Better
A Place to Mend @ the Octagon
Mending is that bridge between creative worlds. Whether a hobbiest or professional, we all have something to share, contribute, and a sock with a hole. For those of us that are a little more quiet, it gives us a task to keep attentive to and help with any social anxiety. […]
journal - podcast
Ep 15: How and Why I use Profit First in my Creative Businesses
The number one book I recommend to creatives entrepreneurs is Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. Today I’m going to share the story of how reading this book transformed how I run my businesses’ finances and allowed me to pay myself a wage + make a profit for the business. Little […]
Craftea - howto - journal - knitting - Mend it Better - patterns & tutorials - wips
Re-Knitting Dropped Stitches in Realtime Live
Join me for 40 minutes of relaxed mending and afternoon tea. Today I reknit the top of my daughter’s hat that “exploded” at school. I also show off a few other projects in my mending basket and the socks I’m knitting up just for fun. Show Notes Sign up for the […]
journal
Turning off Ads on Craft Leftovers
Last year I turned google ads on. This year I’m turning them off. Here is the why for both choices. Plus a little digressing. Craft Leftovers the blog has been around since that 2006 Hello World Post. Believe it or not, it was one of the OG blogs on recycled/upcycled/green […]
Crafty Business - feature - journal - podcast
Ep 14: Annual Review in an Hour
Before making a plan for the next year, (Ep 01 of Craft Leftovers), let’s take an hour to consider this past year. What went well? What could have been better? What just totally missed the boat? Do you try again next year or let it go? I’m taking you through […]
Crafty Business - journal - podcast
Ep 13: Bookkeeping for Creatives
One of the questions I get most often. Okay more like the “oh no” deer in the headlights response I get when I bring up book keeping. It doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it can be kind of fun. In this episode I talk about the difference between […]
Crafty Business - journal - podcast
Ep 12: Making a Traveling Exhibit
After a year of work I’m taking the Junk Mail Migration Paintings & Tapestry on the road! How did I create a traveling exhibit? And what are the essentials to coordinating with multiple partnering institutions? As a curator at an art center, I received and installed hundreds of works of […]
journal
New Livestream Schedule + Winter Local Events Announced
Well I did it! Every month for an entire year I did a Livestream over on my Youtube channel. And at the end of the year, I realized an interesting thing… I want to do more! When I started this experiment, I had this idea that I would craft + […]