When I was a kid my neighbor had one of these sweethearts and I’ve always wanted one for my very own. What a funny kid I was. Well, now I do! It was in extreme tangled disrepair. So last week I woke up early one morning and snip, snip, snip it was all off. Well shoot, how in the world do I restring this thing? It turned out to be very simple and intuitive.
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.
Scrap Sewing Projects
I wanted to share with you a few of the great projects in the July issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly. I know you will just love them and it’s quite the deal: just $9 for 8 patterns + 1 recipe for a frozen delight + an interview with Lee Meredith + an article on dealing with scraps in my studio + a few of my favorite online tutorials and patterns + a crafty wordfind.
Home Redress: A new home a new series!
Before it’s always been “Apartment Redress.” Now that we are living in a house, I’ll continue the redress projects in my home. :)
First though, I want to give you an overview of the place. Today’s post is going to show what it looks like now. As we fix things up, I’ll post about it.
July Craft Leftovers Swap!
It’s finally here! The July Swap! After a great rush of positive feedback about doing a Craft Leftovers Swap it’s finally time to get it started! I’m so excited to be hosting my very first Craft Leftovers Swap-Bot Swap!
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 […]
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.
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 […]
4th of July: Potluck Round Up!
Usually, the day after a holiday it dawns on me, “Hey, I should post about all those neat projects I’ve come across lately.” Well, not this time. Ha! I got you this time 4th of July! Check out these sweet projects I’m excitedly whipping together for the first 4th of […]
Thrift Kitchen: The best laid plans
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 […]
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 […]
Redress: Butterick Dress Part 2
Hopefully this will be the last part before the finishing post. Taking your generous advice, I went with option 3. After thinking about it, the gathers with the gathered fabric would have looked frumpy for sure. I think the nice, straight cotton is perfect. Plus, once I cut it out, the landscape of flowers was just too perfect.
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…
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?
Tutorial: Attach a bias tape edging
I forgot to sew the bodice right sides together and turn it out before top stitching, so I was left with all these crazy raw edges, woops. I could have redone it, but once it happened it was like “well, this would look better with a little trim anyway.”
Here is a quick easy way to add a bias tape trim to a raw edge to finish it off and make it look great.
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.
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.
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 […]
Bookish Monday: Feeding My Book Habit
It was too much for one post, so I broke my bookish happiness into two. Part 1 was how to make time, part 2 is about affording it.
When I really get in a reading mood, I can blaze through a book or two a week. At $10-15 each, books can add up. Honestly, that’s just not an option. Here is how I keep my hunger for books fed and affordable:
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 […]