During my last year at NIU I started a project based on the idea of converting junkmail into something with utilitarian and aesthetic value. I spent many many hours converting piles of adds and credit card applications into handmade paper. I loved it! I do love it! I never did […]
book review - thrift kitchen
Sneaky Chef: Book Review
For today’s Thursday in the Thrift Kitchen I’m going to switch it up a bit. Instead of sharing a recipe, I’m going to share a new (to me) recipe book with you. Missy Chase Lapine has really put together a fine collection of Sneaky Chef recipes for The Sneaky Chef: How to […]
book review
Book Review::Refashion by Alyssa Devanny
Alyssa Devanny of Refashion released a wonderful book right up the Craft Leftovers ally. Everything in the book is repurposed, reworked, and well! You guessed it refashioned from clothing and scraps of fabric. “Make your own ‘trashion’ statement by recycling your tired, worn-out clothes into unique, eco-chic pieces you can wear […]
book review
Book Review: Who’s Your Dada?
When Quarry books emailed me about Who’s Your DADA?: Redefining the Doll through Mixed Media I was so happy! Not only have I been on a doll house and doll kick in general lately {link},
book review
New book: Creating a Blog Audience by Sister Diane
Diane of the CraftyPod has done it again, she has put out one of the most insightful publications that actually helps bloggers with their blogs: Creating a Blog Audience! The first ebook on this topic is Creating a Great Blog – because why would you give a rats you know […]
book review
Mix Tape::Vol 10!
I am having such a Mix Tape Crush lately. I was lucky enough to get the last 3 issues of Mixed Tape in the last few weeks, the most recent being Vol 10 just yesterday afternoon. I love that it’s all about the little bits in life – or as […]
book review - journal
The Sweater Chop Shop
I was delighted when Debora of Storey Publishing asked me if I would like a copy of the The Sweater Chop Shop: Sewing One-of-a-kind Creations from Recycled Sweaters by Christina Ffrench. Would I ever! This book is lovely in every way. I really enjoy how instead of models, this book […]
book review
Weaving Unloomed!
This great new book by Diane Gilleland has 5 great projects for weaving without a loom. Each project is unique and interesting. It covers a lot of bases too, it’s not all one style or one type of project, each project uses a different method. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It’s the perfect thing […]
book review
Drawing your life and 75 ways to draw more!
This is a great little zine on drawing I came across. I think on The Art of Nonconformity. It’s called 75 Ways to Draw More and was made by Michael Nobbs. The really great thing about this, besides it’s fun content and illustrations, is that you can either purchase it […]
book review
Re-Construct :: Eco Friendly Crafts Made Easy :: Review + Giveaway!
I was so happy to get my copy of Re-Construct in the mail 2 weeks ago, there are so many great projects it took me a few days to watch it all. You can pick up your very own copy here. Each project is actually like a show. They go […]
book review - journal
Finding My Way with Making a Great Blog
It’s hard for me to admit this, but I’ve been having a dry spell lately with Craft Leftovers. It’s not that I’m not enjoying myself or that I don’t like posting, it’s more like I feel like I’ve lost my internal direction, that no matter how hard I try I […]
book review - journal
This Week at the Library
I stopped by the library just to get “a book or two” and found a whole slew of great new books that they just added.
book review
button it up :: Book Review + Giveaway!
Last spring I was contacted about being a guest designer in an amazing new project book by Susan Beal! I have had such a hard time keeping my mouth shut about it as I was really excited. First I love Susan Beal’s other book Bead Simple and it turns out […]
book review - journal
Beginning Knitting Book Round Up!
My first beginning knitting class is coming to a conclusion and I want to make sure to give these new knitters some great resources to take with them into their future knitting adventure. I know I would recommend Stitch N’ Bitch for sure, it has great illustrations and tips for […]
book review
This Week at the Library :: Embroidery!
I told you, oh, last week, that I would post the other set of books that I fell in love with at the library. It’s taken me longer than I thought – but only because I had other fun things to tell you about – but finally, as the last […]
book review
This Week at the Library!
Well, in all honesty it was last week that I picked these books up. I’ve decided to break it up into two groups this week as I found quite a few winner and they are in two distinct categories. We will start out today with dyeing and then I’ll show […]
book review
Book Review :: Sweater Surgery!
I first saw this book quite a few months ago. I was instantly in love. A book after my own heart. A book I would write if given the chance. There are so many great aspects to the Sweater Surgery that I’ll just start with the physical aspect of the […]
book review - journal
Interweave Stitch :: Making the Asymetrical Skirt
Yesterday morning while running errands I stopped in to Borders to use up the rest of my gift card from Christmas. I wanted to get a magazine and a coffee. I passed on knitting magazines because as much as I love them I tend not to use the patterns because, […]
book review - journal
This Week at the Library
I work just a block away from the library, so I go there pretty often. I shuffle through craft books pretty quickly, about 10 or so a week. I pick up 4, return 3, that sort of thing. So I decided that I should show you my favorites and that […]
book review
Handmade Martha Holidays
I’ve been getting into the spirit of Christmas, an early onset for me. Usually it doesn’t strike me the semester’s over. I guess now that I don’t have that end of semester deadline it’s hit with the flush of new holiday magazines, music, and of course crafts! Yep, well before […]