On February 17th, I woke up early and headed off to the Iowa State Research Park Core Facility to present my entrepreneurial story to our local 1 Million Cups chapter. I decided to scrap my usual presentation and tell my whole entrepreneurial story. Starting with Craft Leftovers and coming full circle with this year’s launch of my art business this October.
fabric - Home Redress - howto - journal - patterns & tutorials
Repair a Vintage Project Basket
Special thanks to a Facebook message that let me know the pattern link was broken for the Vintage Project Basket. Now that it’s fixed, let me share with you this project that still has a home in my studio.
journal - knitting - patterns & tutorials
Free Beginner Knitting Pattern: Lucy’s Pinktastic Scarf
This scarf is a great for a beginner wanting to try knitting with two colors at the same time. For the more advanced knitter, it’s a simple garter stitch pattern so it’s perfect for knitting while enjoying a movie or waiting for kids to get done with sports. And only 4 ends to weave in on its entire stripy lengeth.
journal
Meet me at Chicago Zinefest
It’s here! Chicago Zinefest is here! And you know what? Craft Leftovers Volume 5, Issue 1 will be here too (check it out in the CL Shop & on Etsy! I’ll be putting it up for sale in my etsy shop when I get back from the zinefest and I’ll […]
journal
Free Sewing Pattern: Shop ‘n’ Ride Tote
Love this tote and re-reading this post had me thinking… where did that bag go! It would be excellent to pack my lunch in. This fun little tote was originally made to fit in the basket of my bike in college, then used to carry my lunch once I was […]
crochet - journal - patterns & tutorials
Free Crochet Pattern: Tribble Trivet
A reader request from @FA3RYL on Twitter bumped this to the top of the list to add next. Still love this crochet pattern, so I was only too happy to oblige. I may just hook it up myself. The original is long since missing and I am in need of […]
journal
Morning Sketch Book
Lucy is on the cusp of starting her first year of school. So. I did something different. Even though we pay for childcare so I can work 9-5 at the shop Monday – Friday, I opted to leave work early or go in late and grab her out of day […]
knitting - patterns & tutorials
Knit Pattern: Cat Hoodie
The Making me Purr Cat Hoodie. It’s one of those patterns that was so much of a joke between Jason and I that I almost didn’t write it down. I almost didn’t share it. It’s become a classic. Knit from stash yarn and lots of laughs it’s the most popular pattern I’ve ever written to date. Originally published in December 2009. Available for purchase on Ravelry, Etsy, and Here on in my Shop
knitting - patterns
Knit Top Notch Simple Socks
As I’m turning the heel of the second sock using this pattern, I thought it was a good time bring it back to life here on Craft Leftovers. It’s my go to pattern for making a classic sock that fits my foot every time. No fancy needle work here. Just […]
journal
Grandma Mini Sewing Box
I’m still in love with this little box, but can’t find it anywhere. Maybe it’s time I make a new one. I brought two posts together to tell the whole story with a few edits for ease of reading. Originally published 09/07/2009. This weekend I started the daunting task of digging […]
Home Redress - journal - Uncategorized
Siding the House: Part 1
I say part 1, but it’s more like “years one, two, and three”. It’s been a long time in progress. And I have a long way to go, though I’m technically about 2/3 done. Potentially, all my creative energy (and time) outside of the shop and family things has funneled […]
journal
Studio clean out
It always gets worse before it gets better. I’ve been listening to this book called Decluttering at the Speed of Life and have been… well decluttering. Big time. Talking 3 pickup truck loads to the goodwill from the kitchen, master bedroom, spare bedroom, and living room. It’s not been a […]
knitting - patterns
Knit Pattern: Thrummed Lady Moss Mittens
This is one of my favorite winter patterns and I still wear them every cold weather season. I’ve also made them larger for Jason which he refers to as his ridiculously warm mittens. It was first published November 11, 2007 I usually start the summer to fall to winter layering […]
thrift kitchen
Instapot Short Ribs in a Pinch
This is a story of how I am definitely not a professional cook and got myself into a bind. You know how you know you should do something and you think of it, sideline it, and then think of it, and sideline it…. and think of it and sideline it. […]
journal
Craft Leftovers Homecoming
More than a decade ago… whoa. I started a blog called Craft Leftovers to fill a need in my life. I needed some outside accountability in busting my stash. I had my own pile of yarn and fabric as well as all the craft supplies I inherited from my grandma. […]
crochet - journal - patterns & tutorials
The Perfect Size for a Crocheted Dishcloth
Coming up on Christmas – just 10 days of crafting/baking left – I thought it was the perfect time to give you all some ideas for some last minute gifts. This weekend I’ve spent some time on a hand full of things like scarves, hats, and bootwarmers (will shoot pictures […]
fabric - patterns & tutorials
Sew A: Felt Skillet Cozy
Jason’s been goading me for, uh, too long to make a handle cover for our skillet. We’ve seen them at the store and while they aren’t expensive, I can’t stand to spend money on something that I have the supplies lying around for and I know would take about two […]
Christmas - journal - little woods homestead - thrift kitchen
Crafting Teas: Blending Herbs and Cheering up the Holidays
You may or may not know about my side project called Little Woods Herbal. Through a weird turn of ebay sales while I was destashing last summer before Lucy was born, I found I could make some extra money selling medicinal herbs on ebay. Go figure. A little over a […]
journal
Studio Tour
Last weekend I opened up our house to be one of 20+ artists participating in a city-wide studio tour. The whole idea was that the general public could tour from studio to studio and see the behind the scenes of some of their favorite artists. Since you all couldn’t make […]
journal
DIY Instruments Zine
This weekend Ames, Iowa is host to one of the most epic of Midwest music festivals, the Maximum Ames Music Festival. They use traditional and non traditional music venues and organize the hosting of local, national, and international music. It’s amazing. This year a local artist and curator lyndsay Nissen […]