I love potato soup. I think it’s actually one of my favorite soups. When I was in Canterbury, England back in 2002, we went to this castle with a gift shop/restaurant thing. They served, I kid you not, the BEST potato leek soup. Ever since then I’ve been trying to […]
journal
Crafty Business Routines: Part 2: Daily Tasks
I’ve been trying to get to work by 10am for over a year now with varying degrees of success. I started when I had an in-home studio and now do the same for my out-of-the-home studio. It is finally becoming a habit and I’ve been happily working away by 10am. […]
howto - redress
Apartment Redress: Say goodbye to lumpy pillows: Part 1
I’ve made a few pillows over the years. Seriously, just a few. And I’ve not liked a single one. It’s not that the designs weren’t cute, they were. It was that they were lumpy. With each one I tried a different way of stuffing them: Pillow stuffing method 1: Huge […]
howto - journal
Picking the Right Hook and Needles
{Note: I’m totally sick today, so I’m taking the day off. Today’s post was originally published as a guest post for Craftzine in September. Enjoy!} One of the things that many experienced yarnies take for granted is how to know what hook or needles to use for the yarn you […]
fabric - patterns & tutorials
Sewing Pattern: Laundry Bags
I got these plastic bags for christmas and opted to repurpose them as laundry bags. After load 6, they started to rip. It turns out that being made for soft plush light weight pillows = not being able to hold a bazillion pounds of laundry.
All the same, I loved the simple structure of the bags. It would be a snap to whip up more bags made out of more sturdy fair. And, taking a little inspiration from a Target bag, I added a flap with a snap so I can fold them up for storage and keep them in The Laundry Loader I made last year. Once it gets warm again, I think I’ll even stencil the washing symbols on each bag. :)
journal
Good Morning 2010
It’s weird to think it’s the end of the year all ready. I wanted to share a few things with you really quick and then we will get on to your regularly schedule pattern post. First. You guys rock! I went from being newly graduated, to working part time, to […]
thrift kitchen
Thrift Kitchen: Guacamole with homemade chips!
I’ve been trying my best to stay the heck away from bad food. I did pretty well not stuffing my face with one hundred cookies over Christmas, but now I’m facing New Years! How do I indulge and celebrate when I’m trying to keep my alcohol at a minimum and […]
Crafty Business
Crafty Business: Kick Starting 2010 with an Up-To-Date Schedule!
The Crafty Business series has been dormant for awhile now so I’ve decided to bring it back just in time for hitting that reset button. Since being self employed entangles work and personal life so much, I’m going to address both sides: establishing a daily schedule you can actually stick […]
journal
Another Mac Update
So this whole Mac dying, then resurrecting has been quite the adventure. And I’m sure you are all really sick of hearing about it, so my last digression from crafty life :) First of all, it really threw my week into chaos. I had to reschedule everything on Monday to […]
journal
My Little Mac Baby is back! WOO!
I have been pretty torn up since I spilt coffee on my macbook yesterday. I went through all the phases of grieving. I was upset with myself. I was upset with the day of lost work and being behind. I cried. I got depressed. I got optimistic and pessimistic and […]
journal
Mourning my MacBook
I’m posting this from Jason’s computer… This morning a tragedy struck our home. I tripped and dumped my coffee right on to the keyboard of my Mac. It clicked off never to be restarted again. Thankfully, Jason has an old PC at the office and we are working on freshening […]
journal
Christmas Leftovers: Save that wrapping paper and ribbon!
I’m excited to announce, that come January 1st, 2010, I am releasing my first ebook: Christmas Leftovers! In great Craft Leftovers form, this book shows you a new way to look at your leftovers, with a focus on Christmas gift giving. I love tearing into gift wrap just as much […]
nosew - patterns & tutorials
How To: Pomanders!
Though I’ve always thought pomanders were a great idea, it wasn’t until yesterday that I actually made my own! It was one of the activities at the Winter Art Camp at the Octagon Center for the Arts. I was invited to stay after my activitiy was over and join in […]
journal
Yule Logs @ the Octagon Art Camp
{Beth is the in the middle here and is the art education director at the Octagon. She’s a super talented resourceful artist and it has been a pleasure getting to know her. She is an Ames C.art member too :) } I love helping with art camps at the Octagon! […]
crochet - destash - patterns & tutorials
Free Crochet Pattern: Lanel’s Mitts
I wear fingerless mittens so my fingers can be fidgety while wearing them and warm. It never fails that while I can use my fingers without gloves, my hands are freaking cold. No more. Taking inspiration from my nerdy star trek loving side, I made fingerless mittens that make my hands feel like Riker’s must have while disguised as a Malcorian.
journal
mixtape Giveaway! We have a winner!
Spreading some of that mixtape lovin’! Amy P stated, “I just hear fabulous stuff about Mixtape everywhere I go!” And now she happily will have her very own copy. Hooray for giveaways! I’ll be back a little later today with a free pattern for fingerless, crocheted mittens. See you soon! Kristin
thrift kitchen
Falling Out of the Kitchen & Falling Back In
Well, I have to admit, I fell out of my Thrift Kitchen. Not only was I eating junk food and fast food on a regular basis, but I also have not been cooking as much as usual. When I did eat at home, it was crap. Chicken or the egg. […]
book review - journal
Drawing and Painting: Crafty Buddies
Do you remember awhile ago how I made the Crafty Buddy embroidery set? And the little freebie thimble guy? Well, I’ve had a lot of fun playing around in the studio lately and wanted to show you what I’ve been up to. I have to say, that I really wouldn’t […]
book review
Mail Day! Goodies to watch for in the Mail!
I am such a sucker for mail of any kind, but when it’s as neat and well put together as these two zines, well… I don’t know how to end that sentence, I guess I’m speechless? Love them! Love mail! Swapping is a load of fun and in exchange for […]
howto - nosew - patterns & tutorials
12 Days of Christmas: Free Advent Calendar
I had so much fun making this little advent calendar. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to make one until Monday! So now you need to get on it and make one today to have it ready to tomorrow ;) It’s a really fun project to do with a friend or your […]