Every winter I have a nice pile of handmade items to keep me warm when I head outside. With that pile comes a dilemma: Where to put them? Originally, I put them all in a basket and put it on the shelf. Being so high up they usually just ended […]
redress
Buying Used Bicycles: saving money, saving the earth, and saving sweet bikes from disuse.
Today’s post has been completely circumvented by an adventure down to Des Moines to look at and purchase a pair of really sweet vintage French bikes. This post has not gone through the wonderful hands of Karen, the silent steady force of corrected grammar and spelling. Any misspellings and grammar […]
patterns & tutorials
Post Refresh: Leftover Herbs into Christmas Cheer
Drying bundles of herbs is a great way to both use up leftover herbs and use up little scraps of wire and ribbon. And they are really pretty around the house, smell wonderful, and can be wonderfully delicious in any meal. Did you try out a few new recipes this […]
round up
Giving Thanks: A round up of things to craft through the weekend
Here are some things to look at, to enjoy, to make, to think about and to get you through the holiday weekend. 1. Giving Thanks 10 Great Ways to Show You’re Grateful & Why Living a Life of Gratitude Can Make You Happy on Zen Habits 2. Cranberries I love […]
nosew - patterns & tutorials
Paper Strip Tutorial: Lucky Stars
With every sale of Craft Leftovers Monthly, I get 10 paper strips – each measuring 3/4×11″ long. Being the way I am, I have a pretty hard time just dumping them into the recycling bin. They are just so full of potential: potential for weaving, breaking it down into paper […]
knitting - patterns & tutorials
Knit Pattern: Parsimonious Toe Up Socks
I was so excited to finish these socks. Once finished, the timing worked out perfectly to be a contributor to Craftzine this month, one of my favorite websites! The pattern is great for using up leftovers, of course, using 25-30g of sock yarn for each color. While the color work […]
book review
Vintage Book Look: Finding inspiration and lessons in craft books of old
My phone rang, I moaned and dug it out of my bag (little known secret, I hate phone calls). When I saw it was my dear friend my attitude instantly changed. “Hi Linda, what’s up?” “I’m so glad you answered! I’m here, in this amazing thrift shop, and they have […]
organize
Sketchbook Organizing Solution: Evernote
I wanted to follow up on the post I wrote two weeks ago about my sketchbook organizing dilemma. I’m happy to say that thanks to all of your great suggestions, I’ve found the perfect way organize my sketchbooks without having to dismantle them: Evernote! And even better, it’s also provided […]
fabric - patterns & tutorials
Sewn Leftovers: Fleece Mittens
Last weekend I spent Saturday sewing with my friend Judy, we made all sorts of fleecy things and my favorite were these super quick to make fleece mittens. She gave me permission to share this classic mitten pattern with all of you.
Crafty Business
RSS Feeds on Probation
Or how I learned to be a better blogger by examining my own reading habits. There are so many amazing craft blogs. And I physically can’t read them all. I leave it up to Craftzine.com, Craftgossip.com, and Whipup.net to keep me up to date on most the amazing things crafting […]
clm - vol2
November Craft Leftovers Monthly & Holiday Card Pre-order!
I have two fun things to tell you about today. First, the November issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly is in the shop. Order it before Wednesday to get a little off while I print and pack up all the issues. Just $6.50 for the next three days! Woot! This month’s […]
howto
How to: Carve your own Mailing Stamp
The great thing about using these blocks, is you really can use any stamp pad, making it much easier to use than a lino block – and a lot quicker to dry. Here’s how to carve and mount your own stamp to use and love because it’s uniquely your own.
round up
Leftovers Digest: 15 posts to tantalize the fall senses
Things to Make and Look At 1. I saw these little knit leaves and instantly thought “oh, leftover yarn bits could make those little lovelies”. Over on Knitting Iris, I can’t remember where I first saw this. 2. Little trees made from leaf rubbings (love this!). 3. Ruffled leaf tee […]
organize - redress
Help! How should I organize my sketchbooks?
I draw a lot. For every issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly, I burn through about 2 dozen pages or so of my sketchbook, drawings, notes, patterns, and to do lists. For each post, at least a few pages. I see things, I read things, they inspire me, I write them […]
howto - patterns & tutorials
How to: Autumn Textured Thank You Cards
This past July, I participated in a pencil rubbing swap on Swapbot. It reminded me how much I enjoy and how beautiful this simple technique is. With all the leaves blowing around, there are plenty of things to make textures from. When Kelly C told me she wanted to learn to draw textures, my mind instantly thought about pencil rubbings. I know, not exactly what she had been talking about, but a fun project for leftover paper all the same. Love the way the mind works.
knitting - patterns & tutorials
Knit Panda Bear Kit: New in the Shop!
This sweet bear is the Pu-Tai of my studio, he’s generous with a sweet smile and brings joy and bounty to my studio. Or at the very least, makes me smile whenever I glimpse him. You can pick up a kit for this great jolly Panda in the Shop here.
clm - howto - vol2
CLM Sneak Peek: 8 Gourd Drying Tips
Every issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly is full of patterns, tutorials, and fun little snippets. What are these snippets I am referring to? Well, that varies from month to month. Because October’s issue was all about Falling into Fall, I filled the pages with patterns, tutorials, and thoughts on crafting outside as well as cozying up with fall crafting. Here is one of my favorite pages from this month’s issue about what I’ve learned about drying gourds:
round up
Breaking up with TV…at least in the studio.
Movies and shows I love you. Oh, you are seductive. But, you lower my productivity by 90% or more and I just can’t have you in the studio anymore. Hulu, you bring me my favorite new shows. I look forward to checking my queue. I find you irresistible. NetFlix, I […]
journal
October Craft Leftovers Swap! Sign up starts now!
Hey, can you believe it? It’s been a quarter of a year since the last swap! It’s now time for the October Craft Leftovers Swap! Are you tired of working with the same fabrics, papers, and yarn? Is your stash a little “blah?” Could your fabric use a fresh face […]
howto - patterns & tutorials
Making my own earrings: And how to make your own too!
Recycled Bead Earrings Quick as a Flash Glitz! When I moved, I carefully packed up my jewelry box. I wrapped it in tissue paper and tucked it into a safe place. Since then I have been 100% without any jewelry save my engagement ring and one necklace I tend to […]