Making the best of what's on hand.
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.
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!
Mother Nature that is! After working with my Craft Leftovers for the last 4 years, I have found that stash busting is a two part process. Part 1: Use your stash/leftovers BEFORE going to the store. Part 2: Buy only what you need. Or even more simply put: Buy less! What […]
Taking my lunch to the office has become second nature to me, and part of that is keeping a place setting around the office. It’s just easier than toting it back and forth. But it’s not easier to keep them clean. That is until now! Check out my awesome plastic canvas box!
Yikes! Look at that pile of tangled up mess. I have a bin that’s specifically for leftover yarn and over the last few months I’ve been slipping a little bit of this and that in and out of it. When I went to find a particular ball of yarn a […]
March and all its dreary weather has flown by with the help of some plushy goodness. Now April is just around the corner and Craft Leftovers Monthly is here to help usher in the spring season! :: Bike riding :: Basket making is the prominent theme (recycled paper and reed weaving projects) […]
Sometimes taking the day off is the best way to refresh and get new ideas. “Well yeah,” you are saying. Like everything else in life, easier said than done. Yesterday I came to the point where I had to decide between going to my painting class or writing a post. […]
I had so much fun crocheting up this little dishcloth. I was looking for something to brighten up the dull chore of washing the dishes. I had quite a few little bits of orange, blue and white. And a whole lot of pink and gray. I love the way it […]
In fall 2008, I made this really sweet neck warmer inspired by the autumn trees. Since we are heading into spring, I thought it would be a good time to dust it off, spruce it up, and re-release it.
I am so excited that this great book has made its way into crafterdom! It’s chock full of great projects and techniques for using up leftovers from giving gifts. We love to give gifts, no matter the occasion. We also love receiving them. What’s less lovely is the waste material left […]
Last week I posted about my fight with pillow stuffing and how I’ve gone on a quest to figure out what works best. Shredded Paper Shredded Fleece Plastic Bags All Sorts of stuff – bits of yarn, thread, fleece, paper, and dryer lint. After making 4 small pillows and stuffing […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
I have always really liked this pattern because it’s so simple to make. And when you are recycling a skirt for fabric, it uses up that part that is hard keep in tacked. Use a little bit of bias or hem tape or ribbon to cover up the raw edge inside of the clutch and you have one really nice finished clutch in just a few minutes. Perfect.
Ann from All Things Paper sent me links to three great tutorial that she has put together and are free for us to use and make! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ On Folding Trees :: Filigree Pendants On Heart Handmade :: Fringed Flower Card On All Things Paper :: Simple Filigree Flower Card […]
I really love this clutch for 2 simple reasons – one it is so quick to make, just under a half hour and you have a little clutch; two it is perfect for holding pencils, pens, and crochet hooks! Perfect!
Sometimes yarn gets a little abused and used and worn out and just needs a good relaxing day. Well, actually, after ripping out yarn several times it does need to be refreshed. Maybe not a full on spa day, but a nice dip in some soapy water does wonders. In […]
I really like these envelopes because 1)They are just the right size & 2)They have folding tabs that lock into place and unlock with ease. Oh and they are made with old paper bags! Even Better! Download the free template….
So the coffee sweater is this month’s Craft Leftovers Monthly Kit. I did a run through with it to make sure it would work with fingering weight yarn. Welllll, it does…. but then while knitting through it I found that just about ever row, except the “knit all” rows, was […]
