Food 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 […]
clm - Crafty Business - journal - vol2
Making Craft Leftovers Monthly: Part 3
Last 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 […]
book review - journal
Crochet Today! Cuteness, Charity and Cozy Homes
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…
clm - Crafty Business - journal
Making Craft Leftovers Monthly: Part 2
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?
journal - thrift kitchen
Thrift Kitchen: Allrecipes.com
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.
clm - Crafty Business - journal
Making Craft Leftovers Monthly: Part 1
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.
journal - wardrobe redress
Redress: Choices, choices. Which fabric?
I’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 […]
journal
Bookish Monday: Making Time for Books
This 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 […]
journal - thrift kitchen
Farmer’s Markets and Crochet Market Bags
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.
journal
Will you be a Craft Leftovers Buddy?
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.
journal
Craft Leftovers Mailbag!
We 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?” […]
Crafty Business - journal
News and Notes: In the shop & on the blog
It’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 […]
journal - round up
Post Monday: Love my mail!
Every so often, the bounty of swapping happens all in the same week, which is like Christmas everyday! Last week was that week! What a delight!
howto - journal - patterns & tutorials
Saving a Paint Brush from Becoming a Paint Stick
Working on the mural reminded me of my first painting professor and of the importance of brush cleaning. After 50 different people worked on the mural (awesome) all our brushes were trashed. Paint up the handles, crusted, dirty, and half dry. Is there any coming back from that? We had about 10 nicer brushes and some fine tipped brushes of mine that I was intent on saving from being paint sticks.
journal
New on Craft Leftovers: Posts, Website, Shop
I’m so excited about all the fun things I have in store for us over the next few months. I have all these ideas for Craft Leftovers that I’ve been having to jot down and set aside until a later date because of the mural, move, book deal combo breaker that has been in the works for the last 6 months. It’s so good to be back. Ahhh, nice sigh of relief.
This was the last “getting on the same page/catch up/updates” post. I think we are all square. Now let’s get down to cleaning out the fridge (tomorrow’s post) and the best way to rescue paint caked brushes (on friday).
journal
Swapping on Swap-bot
I’ve been swapping and loving it! Read about what I’ve scored, what swaps I’m in, 5 great reasons to participate in a swap if you are a creative blogger, and help me set up the newest addition to Craft Leftovers – a monthly swap!
journal - thrift kitchen
Quick Treat: Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt
Strawberries are just starting to come into season around Iowa. You can get a huge gallon container for just $4. Usually that’s the cost of a pint. Unfortunately, a gallon is way too much for Jason and I to eat. I’ve been trying to come up with enough ideas to use them up before they go bad, things that can freeze and are healthy. Sure I could whip them all into strawberry tarts, but how many of those should I be eating?
journal
Rounding it Up: Playing Catch Up Part 2
Yesterday I started catching back up with work and part of that is getting back into the crafty groove. You know, what’s been going on in the blog-o-sphere while I was out of commission. I covered my Saving Money Catagory, Creative Folks, Art/Design Stuff, and part of the Craft category. […]
journal
Rounding it up: Playing Catch Up Part 1
The past two months have been an absolute whirlwind of that combo I’m always talking about: exhilarating and exhausting. With the completion of the mural on Sunday night, it is now time to get caught up and get my life back in order. I cleaned like a mad woman all […]
journal - thrift kitchen
Thrift Kitchen: From Martha to my kitchen
Last week I got my act together and made a meal plan. I checked out the April issue of Everyday Foods and found this tasty little recipe for Mediterranean Chicken. Only problem is that when I bought the chicken for the recipe, I was headed to work. So I stashed it in the freezer at the office and forgot to take it home. Well, crap. Jason was at the gym and in possession of the car.