I really enjoyed the book 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse: Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew by Garth Johnson; it is exactly what it says. With about 4-9 pictures per page it is the largest catalog of creative people I have ever seen. So inspiring! It’s grouped into 6 different categories: paper, collage + […]
fabric - howto - nosew - redress
How To: Fabric Covered Wall Panels
Two week ago I moved into my new studio and everything fits wonderfully, but this back wall was killing me. It was too office and not nearly studio enough. I needed color. I wanted paint. I ran though several ideas that were all overly complicated and overly costly. Time for a Redress project! I posted about it two Tuesdays ago and you all came to the rescue and helped me figure out a great way to splash some color around without splashing around cash.
journal
New Shop, Winter issue of CLM, and new Kits!
Grand Opening Celebration for CraftLeftovers.com/Shop is this Sunday and Monday, November 15th and 16th! Every month over the last year I have been continually wowed by the amount of subscriptions sold and the amount of orders placed. I realized that Craft Leftovers had out grown etsy and artfire. So I […]
howto - nosew - thrift kitchen
How To: Herb Bundles
Making bundles of herbs to dry is a great way to both use up leftover herbs and use up little scraps of wire and ribbon. Not to mention they are really pretty around the house, smell wonderful, and nicely dried can be wonderfully delicious in any meal. We had quite […]
redress
Moving on in… Welcome to my New Studio
I love how life works. I take the time to really clean up and reorganize my studio and less than a month later move my studio out of the apartment! Which is wonderful, just kind of funny timing. It actually made the move much easier than it would have been […]
clm - vol 1
November Craft Leftovers Monthly!
November is all about entertaining, having fun with friends, and some good fall just about winter crafting, oh and a great selection of christmas gifts to make and give. This month’s kit is in the spirit of entertaining. Enough cute fabric + the pattern to make your own fabric napkins! […]
redress
Apartment Redress: Basket color up, what color?
Jason and I are always loosing our keys/phones/wallets/etc, we needed a solution. A key basket right by the front door was the perfect solution. The only problem is that it’s a little tacky. It looks okay, but is a little too… um… pink pastel for my liking. I was thinking […]
crochet - journal - patterns & tutorials
Free crochet pattern::The best part of waking up
I love my coffee first thing in the morning. And I love my second cup just as much… except by the time I get to it, it’s already cold. A cozy is so in order! Order up!
howto
Guest Tutorial: How to Prepare Your Pumpkin for Painting
I do a lot of paint related things – stamping, collaging, illustrating, and painting. And really paints shouldn’t be kept more than 6 months to a year. They will start to separate and dry out over time. Every time I buy paint for a project, I’m faced with leftover paint […]
redress
Apartment Redress: Studio Space Prioritizing
Sometimes, all a space needs is a good shake up, more so than new or refashioned or redressed accessories. It’s really great to take a look at the space you have and examine it. Think about what you need from the space. What are your goals? Moving around quite a […]
book review
Handmade Recycled Paper
During my last year at NIU I started a project based on the idea of converting junkmail into something with utilitarian and aesthetic value. I spent many many hours converting piles of adds and credit card applications into handmade paper. I loved it! I do love it! I never did […]
embroidery - journal - patterns & tutorials
Crafty Buddies Embroidery: Freebie Preview Design
I’m really excited to announce a new series of Craft Leftovers embroidery designs! Crafty Buddies! You can get the first set in the shop today! And to get you started on your stitching, here is a free preview pattern – Your Little Crafty Buddy Thimble! He keeps your finger safe […]
journal
Apartment ReDress:: The plan behind the series
A key factor in choosing colors for any project is to think about the overall color scheme of your apartment. What color are the walls, what accent pieces do you have? What are the large pieces of furniture – patterned, solid, bright red, beige? Since Jason and I have been […]
fabric - patterns & tutorials
Refashion Guest Pattern: Pillowcase Dress!
Open up your linen cupboard and find your loveliest vintage pillowcase. It is the perfect size to refashion into a dress for that special little girl in your life.
The pillowcase dress has become an essential piece of girly goodness in my daughter’s wardrobe. It is so versatile: for cooler weather, simply layer the dress with a long-sleeve t-shirt and tights underneath.
book review
Book Review::Refashion by Alyssa Devanny
Alyssa Devanny of Refashion released a wonderful book right up the Craft Leftovers ally. Everything in the book is repurposed, reworked, and well! You guessed it refashioned from clothing and scraps of fabric. “Make your own ‘trashion’ statement by recycling your tired, worn-out clothes into unique, eco-chic pieces you can wear […]
howto - journal - nosew - patterns & tutorials
Free Tutorial: Make Your Own Pendant Necklace
Last week I showed you my favorite way to make pendants {link} and today I’m going to show you how string it up into a necklace using a fisherman’s daughter’s knot! I love necklaces like this and you can use this method for anything with a hole in it. Many […]
clm - vol 1
October Craft Leftovers Monthly!
October is such a great month to write a zine for – fall is so close, a touch of halloween, and the last bit of running around outside. Learn about halloweens past, my mom’s adventure making costumes for me and my sister, folk lore, fairy houses, paper leaf garlands, and […]
nosew - patterns & tutorials
Poly Pendant :: Free Tutorial
Polymer clay pendants are really simple to make, look wonderful, can take on a million “styles” through simple surface treatments and can be used in a variety of ways. I have a pendant necklace that was given to me for my birthday and hands down it is the most complimented […]
book review
New book: Creating a Blog Audience by Sister Diane
Diane of the CraftyPod has done it again, she has put out one of the most insightful publications that actually helps bloggers with their blogs: Creating a Blog Audience! The first ebook on this topic is Creating a Great Blog – because why would you give a rats you know […]
book review - journal
The Sweater Chop Shop
I was delighted when Debora of Storey Publishing asked me if I would like a copy of the The Sweater Chop Shop: Sewing One-of-a-kind Creations from Recycled Sweaters by Christina Ffrench. Would I ever! This book is lovely in every way. I really enjoy how instead of models, this book […]