Craft Leftovers – Page 18 – Making the best of what's on hand.

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.

wardrobe redress

ReDress: Simplicity 3507 Finished!

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How long ago was that post about this poor forgotten shirt dress? Umm, months. Well, I got the sewing bug bad this past weekend and finally finished it. I took the time to add a few special touches and they were so worth it.

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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?” […]

book review

Vintage Find: More Scrap Saver’s Stitchery

This past Saturday my friend Crystal passed on what she called a “craft leftover” from the 70’s craft book. It’s such perfect timing since the July issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly is about using fabric scraps. This short book of just 132 pages is stuffed with whimsical patterns, advice, and […]

thrift kitchen

Thrift Kitchen: Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna

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I started to wonder if I could get away with replacing the meat with some Textured Vegetable Protein and if it would pass the Jason test. (I’ve been trying to cut back on meat.) Taking a cue from the Sneaky Chef, I didn’t bother to tell him there was no meat in it until he had devoured the first piece.

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 […]

wardrobe redress

Redress: Thrift Store Adventures

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It can be overwhelming looking for clothing at the thrift store. There is so much and a lot of it doesn’t fit, is stained, is torn, or is just a completely bizarre fashion. When I want to find really golden clothing items, this is how I approach it so it doesn’t take all day or overwhelm me.

journal - round up

Post Monday: Love my mail!

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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!

book review

Getting my Entralac Toes Wet: Garterlac Dishcloth

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I was cleaning out my studio yesterday and a print out of this quick dishcloth pattern fell out from between two knitting magazines. Perfect! The Garterlac Dishcloth by Criminy Jickets on ravelry here and on his blog here.

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.

thrift kitchen

Thrift Kitchen: 7 Steps to Keeping the Fridge Clean

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Now that I’m out of “half past overwhelmed” mode, I’m getting back to my weekly routine of cleaning out the fridge, finishing off any leftovers, and making up my grocery list. What I did with the fridge was the first step. Once you deep clean it, a weekly trash and swipe down will keep it clean for a very long time.

journal

New on Craft Leftovers: Posts, Website, Shop

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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).

redress - wardrobe redress

Redress, Donate or Recycle

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I hope to find a use for every single scrap of clothing and office supplies, but it’s a little unrealistic. An item that frustrates and annoys me may be the perfect thing for someone else.

journal

Swapping on Swap-bot

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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!

crochet - patterns & tutorials

Crochet Pattern: Sunny Skies Sun Hat

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I love working in my garden in the summer, but after about 10am it becomes blistering hot. This hat is made out of a grass like material called raffia and keeps the sun off your head, ears, and neck. At the same time keeping you cool by letting the breeze through the open stitch work.

Working with Raffia can be challenging to work with unless you know a few simple tricks that will make it slide off the hook. In this pattern I keep you right on track.

journal - thrift kitchen

Quick Treat: Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt

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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?

Crafty Business

Finally Past the Yeses from Last Year

Back in February I posted about how I was saying “maybe” to everything as a way to retrain that unfortunate “yes” reflex. I had some really good points, especially about how when I over commit I’m not doing anyone a favor. If I’m so over booked, I can’t follow through. […]

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 […]