Getting your work matted and framed adds a level of professionalism to your work. It gives small intimate pieces a more dynamic presence in a large room. But… it’s expensive! Last month I showed you how to take an old beat up frame and really make it shine through fixing […]
howto - patterns & tutorials
Using Oil Paints Responsibly: Tips, ideas, and how to filter paint thinner so you can use it again.
We are detouring to the other side of my studio this week. Today, I’m going to take a look at how my craft leftovers sensibility applies to the artwork for my upcoming show. Next post, I’ll show you how I mat my prints and how you can to. It does […]
nosew - organize - patterns & tutorials - redress
FiloFax Printables: Get Organized!
Here are the filofax printables that I laid out in InDesign. You can download them by clicking here. I like to plan out the main things that need to be done each week. I try to space them out so I don’t feel like I have to do everything on […]
howto - patterns & tutorials
DIY FiloFax Planner
I saw these sweet little filofax planner pages for free on MyGirlThursday and just had to have my own filofax planner. But, being me, didn’t want to pay much for one. My sister gave me the notebook on the right, a very nice leather journal filled with graph paper (love!). […]
fabric - patterns & tutorials
How to: Patchwork Lanyard by C.L. Tice
C.L. Tice is a writer, poet, crafter, and mom. Her writing and creating adventures are inspired by the world around her. She can be found at her blog, Mused.
Recently, my workplace changed to having swipe card access rather than the punch codes we had been using. We’ve never required ID badges for employees and I’ve never worked anywhere where we had badges or cards. So this is a new experience for me.
howto - patterns & tutorials
How to: Build a Pea Teepee
I actually planted my peas according to my planting schedule for the first time ever and they have done great. So great that they are in some need of support before they turn into a tangle and smother each other right out of production.
howto - patterns & tutorials
How to: DIY Laundry Detergent Batch #2
I’m start to stretch my DIY wings again and I’m excited to make batch #2 and share it with you. I’m also happy to have some better pictures to make the process look a little more sexy than the last time. Well, would you look at that, my photo skills have improved over the last two years. Go me.
I want to thank Trent of the Simple Dollar for blowing my mind with this simple process over two years ago. I’m still in awe of it’s simple money saving power.
howto - nosew - patterns & tutorials
How To: Craft Stamped Thank you Cards
The littlest of leftovers are often the hardest to work with. What do you do with one foot of yarn? A single lone button? Well, I came across these two fun ideas and decided to join them together to make my own leftovers project that uses up those littlest of bits.
I still owe some family members thank you cards from my birthday in April so these will be going into the mail as soon as this post is up!
howto - patterns & tutorials
Framing up: How to restore old beat up frames
Sourcing vintage wood frames and repairing them and finishing them costs under $10. Plus, there’s the added bonus that I love of using something that might end up in the trash AND of making it better than it was when I found it.
crochet - patterns & tutorials
Mosaic Scarf’s Little Sister: Free Crochet Pattern
Over the last 3 or so years, there have been a lot of emails about how to shorten up the Mosaic scarf. It’s long. Really long. So long that I must admit I only wore it a couple of times. I could literally wrap it 5 times around my neck. […]
fabric - howto - journal - patterns & tutorials
How to: Make a Replacement Pet Bed Filler
When we got Jak last month, I thought I was being oh so smart by getting a dog bed with a removable cover. The theory was that I could just take off the cover, give it a wash, and be good to go again. Well, that’s true except in the case of accidents where the whole thing gets soaked through. Next time I’ll make sure to get a cover that’s water proof as well as removable. Ah well. Hopefully we have dealt with the last of the pee issues.
Time to pull out the sewing machine and make my own. It was surprisingly easy, so I thought I would share this with you, just in case you have a pet with a bed that needs a new inside.
howto - patterns & tutorials - zines
Leftover Christmas Zine: Issue 2!
The newest issue of the Leftover Christmas MiniZine is in the shop! In this month’s issue we make ornaments together. I talk a bit about silhouettes, felt, and cut paper. The zine contains instructions for making your own ornaments in bulk from silhouettes and includes an my own original design […]
fabric - feature
How To: Fabric Stitchy Bookmark
One of the things I wanted to work on this year was reading. And I have. In fact, I’ve worked on it a lot. It seemed only right to make a new bookmark to mark my place. I’ve already read more books this year than I did in all of […]
clm - howto - journal - patterns & tutorials
Zine Library Part 3: How to: Modular Hanging Boxes for Unique Publications
When I first thought of making my own zine library I was at a loss as to what would fit them all. How could it look good and be functional? I thought it would be kind of neat to make a series of small boxes that would hang on the […]
knitting - patterns & tutorials
Free CL Pattern: Knit Convertible Mittens
You may have seen this earlier in the month, but just in case you didn’t: Check out my newest Craft Leftovers pattern over on Craftzine! These convertible knit mittens will keep your hands toasty and warm during the cold of winter. To free your fingers, simply open the convertible flap! […]
howto - patterns & tutorials
Winter Composting Part 2: Saving Kitchen Scraps
Maybe you really just want nothing to do with wormy friends like I posted about last week. Or maybe they aren’t eating enough to take care of all your kitchen scraps. That’s okay. That doesn’t mean you have to forgo composting all winter long. My issue with winter composting is […]
howto - nosew - patterns & tutorials
Winter Composting Part 1: Vermicompost!
The gardening bug has hit me earlier than usual this year. Last year I mapped out all the gardening plans in the February Craft Leftovers Monthly. Well, right now it’s too early to start seeds or even purchase them. The compost pile is frozen solid. And it’s too late to […]
howto - nosew - patterns & tutorials
Using Up Wrapping Paper: Making Herbalist Bottles!
Herbalism is a lovely medicine-making tradition that can be done right in my kitchen, using things I collect in my own backyard, and with minimal amounts of equipment. I’ve read about herbs–grown herbs, collected wild herbs “weeds”–and have even played around with making my own green medicines from my finds. […]
journal - nosew - patterns & tutorials
Free Woven Coaster Tutorial: Just Pay with a Tweet!
I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard of Pay With a Tweet before, but, read on and you will! This great service let’s you set up a tweet, a gift to download, and then generate the code for you (or in this case me). It allows us to swap nice and even steven. :) You tweet (or post on Facebook) about my holiday related eBook Card.Paper.Ribbon. and in exchange, I give you this sweet little tutorial for using greeting cards by making them into sturdy, woven coasters!
fabric - journal - patterns & tutorials
How to: Make an Ironing Mat
While the ironing board is a great craft room tool, it’s often a bit big and cumbersome. Sometimes I just need to press a little something while sewing–all nice and quick. I keep my cutting mat on my sewing table, so I wanted to make an ironing mat that would fit right over it and protect its rubbery surface.