Part of stash busting is to finish all my WIPs. Instead of posting all my WIPs at once, I’ve opted to post about one at a time. Focusing on each one, finishing it, and moving on to the next. Each WIP has a story to tell. Some will end up […]
Crafty Business - journal
Crafty Business: Organizing Contacts
I think most of us are beyond the world of Rolodex, but there is something nice about having all the physical contact info at your finger tips. When I go to craft fairs, craft shops, meet random people, I pick up their post cards, fliers, and business cards. While I […]
journal
Fabric Stash: All the colors of the rainbow!
Friday’s post really inspired me to get my act together and organize my fabric. Each box is 11″ x 12″ x 14″. I opted to sort them by color, which seems to be my best organizing option yet.
journal
On Finishing: Taking Stock and Charting Progress
I can count on just my hands the things I’ve bought from the craft/yarn store this year: painting supplies for a painting class, yarn for a pair of socks, yarn for a present for my mom, fabric for a shirt and dress (I actually made both, so that’s good.), a small fabric kit. Yet, I still have more craft supplies then ever. Friends routinely give me fabric (which I love) and so I always have an over flowing source of fabric for project making, hence all the fabric projects here on the blog. In fact, it’s the largest category in the project archive.
journal
Mini Post: Floods, Chickens, Cameras, Cycling, and My Book
You may or may not have seen all the hubbub on Twitter and Facebook, so I wanted to give a quick here’s what’s up. :: Floods :: Last Tuesday Ames was hit with the another huge thunderstorm. It was enough to push the already elevated waters to flood levels and […]
crochet - journal - patterns & tutorials
Crochet Pattern: Buds and Blossoms Dishcloth
I make a lot of swatches when I’m working on patterns. You know, working out patterns, figuring out the count. The color combo. When I was making the library tote for this month’s Craft Leftovers Monthly, it was same as usual. This time, instead of shooting for “coaster” sized swatches, […]
journal
Mailbox Monday + a zine giveaway!
And speaking of lovelies from Su, she contributed to the August issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly and sent these great zines along to share. Everyone who places an order by midnight on Wednesday + everyone who has a standing subscription gets entered to win a zine set. There are three sets, so three winners :)
clm - journal - vol2
August Craft Leftovers Monthly is in the Shop!
Ah, finally back to the crafty goodness! So nice. And the best kind, the bookish kind! This month’s issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly is all about loving books – reading, making, and hauling around.
journal
Ragbrai Days 2 & 3
What a mash of fun and adventure! Yesterday was great. Set up camp without a hitch. hung out in a coffee shop for a spell to enjoy some refreshing coffee and air conditioning and finally, crochet! But such a small amount that I’m not even going to show you. I […]
journal
Ragbrai: Day 1
Well, no crafting yet, but what an adventure we had just getting here. By the time we made it the campsites we all full. No worries though because the people of Algona are awesomely hospitable. We were invited to stay in someone’s backyard. They even made us breakfast! So sweet. […]
journal
RAGBRAI: Crafting Up a Trail!
I’m excited to be crafting from the road Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday I’ll be back and just in time–the August issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly will be in the shop! I’ll be posting short mini posts of the projects I’m working on and what other crafters I meet are working […]
fabric - howto - journal - patterns & tutorials
How To: Trim your Bamboo Shades & Make them Private
Jason knew as soon as we moved into our new house that we needed some blinds fast for the master bedroom and main bath. We just needed a little more privacy so we would stop having to get dressed in the closet, haha.
Here’s how I shortened, trimmed the width and length, and made these neatly natural blinds more private.
journal - thrift kitchen
Thrift Kitchen: Classing up Cheap Meat
Meat is expensive stuff. The difference in my grocery bill from when I was a strict vegetarian to now is huge. But I have to admit, I do love meat. And part of that love is my lack of interest in eating crappy meat. I don’t eat a steak that often, but when I do, I want it to taste AMAZING!
Crafty Business - journal
Crafty Business: Charting progress – a conversation with Kirsty Hall
This week I commented on using progress reports on Twitter and Kirsty Hall made a few remarks that sparked my curiosity. She had a lot of great things to say on the topic of feeling a sense of accomplishment as a self employed creative person and I thought I would […]
journal - redress
Home Redress: A Weekend of Projects and Moving
This past weekend my folks came up to help us move, fix things up around the house, and hang out and have a little fun. My folks went above and beyond helping us get things done around the house. Honestly, the things that they helped with would have been left undone for I don’t know how long.
book review - journal
Review: Encyclopedia of Sewing & Fabric Crafts
Oh of course I love Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts. It’s a little touch of everything I love to dabble in: tutorials to learn the basics, projects to try out, and photos to tantalize the senses. There is really only one thing bad I can point to […]
journal - thrift kitchen
Saving energy + money entertaining with summer grilling
Last night we grilled at the new house for the first time. We impromptu had a few friends over, and it was a blast. It made me realize that grilling is a great way to save money on energy and entertaining.
journal
Home Sweet Home – Jason and I have joined the ranks of home owners!
Whoa! Look at that cutey of a house! Those big windows are mirrored on the back with another set that look out on the back yard! For the past 2 1/2 months Jason and I have been working towards home ownership. While this is definitely made possible through his job […]
journal - thrift kitchen
Thrift Kitchen: Frappacheapo
I have to admit a shameful secret. I used to drink frappachinos. You know the ones in the bottle at the gas station. Talk about a sugar rush. It’s not the healthiest thing in the world and not to mention the expensive. YIKES! They are around $3 each here in Ames.
journal
From the Vault: On Blog Writing
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 […]