Last August I asked the question “Am I a professional writer and as such should I be taking myself more seriously?” Even though I answered “yes” to both, it’s taking quite a lot of time to sink in. It’s a pretty good post and dare I say it, a good
Read MoreUsually, the day after a holiday it dawns on me, “Hey, I should post about all those neat projects I’ve come across lately.” Well, not this time. Ha! I got you this time 4th of July! Check out these sweet projects I’m excitedly whipping together for the first 4th of
Read MoreFood is always a battle. I love it. I hate it. I relish in it, yum yum yum, and feel guilty about it. After 5 months of not so great eating habits I’m finally getting back on track. I could talk about everything I’m doing wrong, but because I am
Read MoreLast week I talked about what the zine contains, Monday covered how I come up with content each month. And today I’m going to go over the nuts and bolts of how these ideas make their way onto the printed page and get to your mailbox. Writing and Editing After
Read More
Hopefully this will be the last part before the finishing post. Taking your generous advice, I went with option 3. After thinking about it, the gathers with the gathered fabric would have looked frumpy for sure. I think the nice, straight cotton is perfect. Plus, once I cut it out, the landscape of flowers was just too perfect.
Read More
Each issue of Crochet Today! is filled with a mix of garments, super cuteness, and and home decor. More than any other crochet magazine, I tend to actually want to make most of them. They also include these great articles on crochet themed ideas. Check out the rest of this month’s issue…
Read More
Last week I showed you the content concepts and the general ideas behind Craft Leftovers Monthly–recycled, ad free, paid guests, patterns, goofy articles, illustrations and photos. Today I’m sharing with you how general ideas become specific patterns and articles. How does random inspiration from the blogs I read and doodles in my sketchbook become a 36 page zine each and every month?
Read More
I forgot to sew the bodice right sides together and turn it out before top stitching, so I was left with all these crazy raw edges, woops. I could have redone it, but once it happened it was like “well, this would look better with a little trim anyway.”
Here is a quick easy way to add a bias tape trim to a raw edge to finish it off and make it look great.
Read More
It’s amazing how resistant I can become to an idea out of sheer laziness. Once I finally get around to checking it out, I wonder how I got on without it in the first place. My sister has been preaching the wonders of allrecipes.com for years now. Literally years. When did I finally got around to looking up a recipe and then actually making said recipe? Just a few months ago.
Each time I’m wrapping up Craft Leftovers Monthly, I’m pleasantly surprised to realize, “Hey, this is my job.” Thanks so much for making this possible by subscribing and letting me visit your mailbox each month. I want to share with you what Craft Leftovers Monthly is all about and how it comes together each month.
Read MoreI’m faced with a dilemma. I’m stuck on which color combo and fabric choice to go with for my next sewing adventure. I’ve been holding on to this brown fabric for “just the right project” and I think I found it, but I’m just not sure. Here is the dress
Read More
It was too much for one post, so I broke my bookish happiness into two. Part 1 was how to make time, part 2 is about affording it.
When I really get in a reading mood, I can blaze through a book or two a week. At $10-15 each, books can add up. Honestly, that’s just not an option. Here is how I keep my hunger for books fed and affordable:
Read MoreThis week I’m happily indulging in books in a way I haven’t in months. I went to a book club meeting for the first time in months last night. I joined the paperback swap. I have a book in my bag right along with my sketchbook and knitting. I’ve even
Read More
Here in Iowa, farmer’s markets are really starting to ramp up. It’s no longer just rhubarb and asparagus, but beans, peas, and so much more. Most weeks, it’s a better value to purchase produce from your local farmer’s market instead of the grocery store. I’ve most likely told you about this a million times before, Local Harvest is a great site to find farmer markets in your area.
In the past, I’ve reached out to you to help correct a pattern, give feedback on the blog, and things of that sort. You have always come through and it is so appreciated! Sometimes I get stuck and it’s wonderful to have more eyes on the issue at hand.
I’m looking to improve things around here, and I’ll need your help more often. It could range from feedback on the archive to testing out a new kit. It could even be to submit test orders to figure out where errors are popping up in the shop.
Read More
How long ago was that post about this poor forgotten shirt dress? Umm, months. Well, I got the sewing bug bad this past weekend and finally finished it. I took the time to add a few special touches and they were so worth it.
Read MoreWe all get stumped from time to time on what to do use up leftovers. “What in the world should I use these for?” Sometimes you have general crafting questions. “What’s the best way to stitch together afghan squares? What in the world would I need a crotch curve for?”
Read MoreThis past Saturday my friend Crystal passed on what she called a “craft leftover” from the 70’s craft book. It’s such perfect timing since the July issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly is about using fabric scraps. This short book of just 132 pages is stuffed with whimsical patterns, advice, and
Read More
I started to wonder if I could get away with replacing the meat with some Textured Vegetable Protein and if it would pass the Jason test. (I’ve been trying to cut back on meat.) Taking a cue from the Sneaky Chef, I didn’t bother to tell him there was no meat in it until he had devoured the first piece.
Read MoreIt’s been an exciting week of imposing more order on what has been a pretty disorderly existence. For instance I realized that other than Craft Leftovers Monthly, I have not added a new thing to the shop in over 2 months. Yikes! No wonder sales are down, that among many
Read MoreView More