For quite some time I’ve been curious to know, “what’s the best way to transfer designs from paper to fabric for embroidery?” And “what’s the easiest way to that doesn’t use iron on transfers?” These are pretty simple questions I’m sure, but as a novice embroidery, the answers have defied […]
book review - journal
Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts – Amigurumi
I’ve had the desire to learn how to crochet amigurumi for quite some time. I keep imagining all the cut little softies to be made and had and how great it would be for little scraps and just so cute. So cute all the time. I have picked up and […]
journal
Knitting like a Knitting Machine
Knitting Machines have interested me ever since learning to knit. The speed, the ease, the speed. Is it really easy though? And is it really actually fast? Well both of those things depend on two things. What you are making and what machine you are making it on. Jason in […]
journal
It’s 10pm and I’m still sewing
I just wanted to let you know that I was called in to work early today and it kind of threw the balance of my little crafterdom. So I got home and cleaned, then started cutting and sewing fabric. I’m still sewing. And I think I could get the pattern […]
journal
How to :: Saving my Knitting :: Part II :: Picking up Dropped Stitches – Fast.
Knitting experiences, especially early on, are scared by all sorts of odd ball issues. During my year and a half (or so) at the Yarn Exchange I came to realize that dropped stitches were the number one culprit of all time. They would stop knitters dead in their tracks. And […]
journal
Apartment Redress :: Laundry Days Part III
Today I set out to make the frame of the laundry hamper. It went pretty smoothly, except it turned out kind of huge! Haha. I think I’ll cut it down a little bit. I’m thinking about making the depth smaller, like 1 foot instead of a 1 1/2′. It just […]
book review - journal
Generosity of the Craft Community and a Book Review
I have been fortunate enough in my life to receive many things through the generosity of others. My grandma gave me all of her craft supplies getting me started on my life adventure of pattern writing, craft leftovers, fiber arts, and now teaching classes and workshops.
journal
Friday Night Hello
Hey there folks! I just want to post a quick note to let you know that I just finished up the pattern for this weekend, but I need to get a nice finished shot of it. Well, it’s 11:15pm so it’s just not going to happen this evening. It will […]
journal
Apartment Redress :: Laundry Days
Our bedroom was in order. Now it’s not. What happened? Laundry. Simple as that. We have no place to put anything as far as the laundry goes (from the laundry itself to the detergent bottle lying on the floor next to it). Well, the times are a changing, we need […]
journal
We Have a Winner!
I’m happy to announce by random selection Meg is the winner of this month’s postal give away! I mixed the post up, fanned them out, and Jason picked one with his eyes closed. She gets to pick out any item she wants from the shop and I send it to […]
journal
And Uphill Battle Won! but no pattern for this week… shoot.
Well, I met a huge goal today. I rode my bike to work today and home again. Why is this such a big deal? Because when I first moved here I said “before the summer is over today I’m going to ride up the big long hill”. It had been […]
journal
Craft Cat Strikes Again :: Last Chance for November CLM
Usually this is something I would expect from the ferrets, but this time it was my very own Craft Cat, my cruddy studio assistant. She got all hopped up on catnip and then stole my project right off the table and now I can’t find it anywhere! You see I […]
journal - patterns & tutorials
Hattery Round Up
Thinking of Christmas Crafting lately? I know I sure am. I see many many hats and scarves in my future, haha. I’ve been trying to find hat patterns that I like that would be quick to knit, that are good for stash and leftover yarn, and look super nice that […]
journal
Hi ya folks!
I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is that I won’t be posting tonight. I’ve been trying to edit photos for the post and nothing is working. Photoshop is being really buggy. I think my poor computer is as tired as I am. The good […]
howto - journal
How To :: Making Butterfly Bobbins
I first learned how to make these great little bobbins in my beginning weaving class at Northern Illinois University. They are great for weaving, especially tapestry weaving, but also when working brocade on the floor loom. The thing is, they are great for knitting and crochet and pretty much any […]
journal
Delay of Game
I just wanted to post really quick to let you know that I won’t be getting the pattern up until tomorrow night. I didn’t realize that they would have me filling in so soon and I am working tomorrow at 8am, so again I need to be up at 6:30. […]
journal - redress
Apartment Redress :: Lamp Remake
Lamps are expensive. This one is free and in our possession already. It’s not half bad either, just a little, well…. “out dated”, not in a fun funky interesting vintage way either. Jason also needs a lamp for his work area, but this one isn’t so great because the shade […]
journal - patterns & tutorials - stitching school
Conversion Chart :: Needles and Hooks
There will always be bizarre units of measurement like the foot (US) in common use. I can only guess that when people were measuring the trees they had just felled, walking the length of the tree and saying “Hey, this is 10 foot lengths long” made a whole lot of […]
journal
A Postal Giveaway & a winner!
The last Give Away was for two issues of CRAFTzine (vol. 07 & 08). And well, I only had one entry! Haha. I’m not sure what happened because the last giveaway had a dozen or so entries. That’s okay. It must have just been lost in all the posting I’ve […]
journal
An Update and a Note
Well, really they are one and the same in a way of cause and effect. And Update: I’ll be posting the pattern for today, tomorrow afternoon.